Year-Over-Year Increases Continue 2010 Summer Successes in the City That's "Always Turned On"
Year-Over-Year Increases Continue 2010 Summer Successes in the City That's "Always Turned On"
ATLANTIC CITY, NJ, July 9, 2010 – Hot temperatures and cloudless skies meant strong business in Atlantic City during the Fourth of July holiday weekend. Crowds from as near as New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania and as far as Utah, Iowa and Quebec hit the shore to take advantage of the destination's free beaches, two fireworks displays and entertainment including a concert by Platinum-selling artist, Lady Gaga, at Boardwalk Hall. A number of resorts, restaurants and attractions reported strong year-over-year increases in visitation and revenue as guests and residents toasted America's birthday in the city that's "Always Turned On."
Atlantic City hotels showed positive summer momentum over the holiday with some, including Carisbrooke Inn, at sold out capacity for the three-night long weekend. Carisbrooke had a 20 percent increase in revenue over last year. Overall, the hotel has held strong occupancy this summer, hovering at or near 100 percent. The Sheraton Atlantic City Convention Center Hotel was sold out for three nights, reflecting an eight percent increase over last year. In addition to a three-night sellout at Resorts Atlantic City, the hotel's popular buffet saw a 37 percent increase in covers. Courtyard by Marriott was also up this year versus 2009 with 99 percent occupancy and $10,000 in additional revenue. At Seaview, A Dolce Resort, a staggering 162 percent increase from 2009 resulted in a Saturday night sellout and 99 percent occupancy on Sunday.
Restaurant business was another outstanding category over Independence Day Weekend, with sales significantly up over 2009. Back Bay Ale House reported 20 percent higher sales than last year while Il Mulino at Trump Taj Mahal was up 15 percent. Other restaurant successes were also tallied at Hard Rock Café, Carmine's, Cuba Libre Restaurant & Rum Bar and Ruth's Chris Steak House.
"Atlantic City has been busy and bustling this summer," said Jeff Vasser, president of the Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority (ACCVA). "It's fantastic to experience the diversity along the Boardwalk -- families enjoying the Steel Pier amusements, couples on rolling chair rides and friends hanging on the beach and at beach bars. When you see the wide-reaching appeal of this destination on a popular holiday weekend like we did, it speaks volumes about our relevancy and array of offerings." One of Atlantic City's landmark attractions, historic Boardwalk Hall, played host to Lady Gaga's Monster Ball Tour on July 4. The sold out show helped drive increased revenue to transportation companies such as Joe's Limo, which experienced a 26 percent increase in sales. In addition, the crowd at Steel Pier grew to 30,000 at the height of the weekend on July 4.
Other area attractions including Lucy the Elephant reported a strong weekend in visitation, citing the success of the new Bella Luna as well as Lucy's Beach Grille. A local cruise company, Jessie O'Fishing & Cruising Fleet, sold out its July 2nd Fireworks Cruise in the ocean and also added a successful second cruise in the back bay for the July Fourth fireworks.
For more information or to book a getaway to Atlantic City, please visit www.atlanticcitynj.com.
About the Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority
The Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority serves as the destination's principal marketing arm, stimulating economic growth through convention, business and leisure tourism development. The Authority oversees the management of the Atlantic City Convention Center and Boardwalk Hall. The Authority is the first destination marketing organization in New Jersey to achieve prestigious Destination Marketing Accreditation by the Destination Marketing Association International. For complete Atlantic City information, visit www.atlanticcitynj.com. Also follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AtlanticCityNJ.
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