NJTIA on the Go
Follow NJTIA and our members as we travel the world, showcasing the best of New Jersey tourism! From industry conferences and trade shows to special events and global promotions, see where we’ve been and how we’re putting the Garden State in the spotlight. Check out our photo gallery for a glimpse of NJTIA in action, representing New Jersey tourism on the international stage.
From attractions that captivate visitors to initiatives that inspire community engagement and growth, this program highlights the exceptional efforts that bring New Jersey’s tourism story to life. By celebrating these achievements, NJTIA aims to inspire continued excellence and collaboration within the industry, ensuring a bright and sustainable future for tourism in the Garden State.
Advocacy In Action: 2024 Destination Capitol Hill – Washington, DC
April 2024
Adam Perle, NJTIA Immediate Past President and Alexis Bailey, NJTIA Director of Government Affairs proudly represented New Jersey and NJTIA at the 2024 Destination Capitol Hill conference organized by the U.S. Travel Association. They championed our state and industry across five meetings with congressional offices, shaping crucial discussions and policies for the future of travel in the U.S.
NJTIA at the PHS Philadelphia Flower Show
March 2024
Members of NJTIA joined forces to showcase the beauty of the Garden State at the nation’s largest horticultural event – the PHS Philadelphia Flower Show! From vibrant blooms to hidden gems, New Jersey has it all!
NJTIA Testifies Before Assembly Tourism, Gaming and Arts Committee
January 2024
NJTIA Executive Board members Adam Perle, Jennifer Costa, Michael Snyder, Joann Delvescio, and Executive Director Matt Halpin outlined current tourism funding mechanisms and the need for increased support to stay competitive. They provided an overview of New Jersey’s tourism regions, emphasizing their economic impact and emerging sectors like agri-tourism and film production. The discussion also highlighted major upcoming opportunities, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the U.S. semi-quincentennial.
Celebrate New Jersey By Sharing Your Favorite Summer Places
The New Jersey Tourism Industry Association DMO Division kicks off a social celebration in recognition of New Jersey Day
There is no denying that the history, culture, and beauty of the great Garden State is certainly something to celebrate. Which is why sharing experiences this July is what the Destination Marketing Organizations located statewide are hoping to spotlight. New Jersey became the third state to ratify the US Constitution in 1787, and July 27 is when the state’s accomplishments have been recognized, perfect timing to say cheers to a state that has so much to offer. The New Jersey Tourism Industry Association (NJTIA), newly established DMO Marketing Division, which is comprised of over a dozen regional Destination Marketing tourism organizations throughout the state, will be using the month of July for residents and visitors to post the places that makes their time in New Jersey so memorable.From favorite spots, scenic routes, New Jersey based business, farm market, winery or landmark, the tourism community is asking everyone to take part in the fun and even win a prize. To get involved, post a photo or selfie of, or at, your favorite New Jersey venue / location and use the caption: “Summer in NJ from ‘favorite venue / location’ Tag 2 friends Hashtag #CelebrateNJ . Photos will be automatically entered to win prizes from destinations across the state. There is no purchase to enter, the winners will be selected by entries from July 5 – July 27 that meet the hashtag and caption criteria. Winners must be 21 or older and respond through social account when notified by August 10, 2022.Help make Summer 2022 one to remember by sharing some of your favorite New Jersey summer locations.For more information on the advocacy work done by New Jersey Tourism Industry Association and the marketing expertise of the DMO Division, please go to https://www.njtia.org/Prizes have no cash value and will be presented through individual DMO organizations. Custom artwork created by Collingswood based marketing firm Spark Creative Group.
New Jersey’s Single-Use Plastic Carryout Bag and Polystyrene Foam Ban Takes Effect May 4, 2022
NJ businesses urged to prepare for new requirements that will ban single-use plastic carryout bags and polystyrene foam food service products, and limits plastic straws
Do you run a grocery store or retail outlet that distributes plastic or paper carryout bags to customers, or a food service business that provides plastic straws and polystyrene foam clam-shell takeout containers and other products?
As part of the eco-friendly initiative to eliminate plastic pollution in the environment, New Jersey will soon ban single-use plastic carryout bags, polystyrene foam food service products, paper carryout bags in grocery stores at or larger than 2500-square-feet and will limit plastic straws to by-request-only. The ban will go into effect on May 4, 2022.
The law, signed by Governor Murphy in 2020, bans the use of plastic carryout bags – regardless of thickness – at grocery stores and retail outlets, as well as paper carryout bags at grocery stores at or larger than 2,500-square-feet. The law will also ban polystyrene foam clamshell food containers and other products such as plates, cups, food trays and utensils, and make plastic straws available only upon request. For a helpful chart of establishments and products affected, and exemptions, please see, https://www.nj.gov/dep/get-past-plastic/#foam_products
The ban was designed to address the problem of plastic pollution with solutions to protect the environment for future generations. In 2017, only 8.4 percent of plastics in the United States were recycled. Most single-use plastic carryout bags arrive in landfills, are incinerated, or accumulate in the environment. Unable to biodegrade, leftover plastic products release chemicals into the environment that are harmful to human health and negatively impact major contributors to the New Jersey economy – such as the tourism, fishing, and shipping industries, as well as recreation.
To encourage the use of reusable carryout bags, New Jersey Clean Communities Council has formed the “Bag Up NJ” campaign, which educates and reminds consumers about their options for sustainability and encourages them to bring their own reusable bag when they shop.
To assist businesses with compliance, the NJ Business Action Center (NJBAC) has rolled out resources on its website, www.business.nj.gov, which, has a list of wholesale vendors of reusable bags. The Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) has rolled out https://www.nj.gov/dep/get-past-plastic/#faqs with detailed information about the new law. NJ Clean Communities Council – with responsibility for outreach, educational programs, and public service announcements – will be distributing a limited number of free reusable carryout bags through a partnership with the Clean Communities Program. Find your County Clean Communities Coordinator at www.njclean.org.
To stay on track, businesses can read the single-use plastic carryout bag and polystyrene foam ban timeline for all critical dates as defined by the law. It is recommended that businesses print a copy of this timeline and keep it posted in order to keep track of important deadlines.
The NJ Department of Environmental Protection https://www.nj.gov/dep/get-past-plastic/ is responsible for the overall implementation of the plastics ban law, including the adoption of implementing regulations. The NJDEP, along with the municipalities, CEHA and the NJ Department of Health are responsible for enforcement of the law. Penalties will be given to businesses who do not comply, which include a warning for the first offense, up to $1,000 per day for a second offense and up to $5,000 per day for a third offense or subsequent offense.
If you need additional support, The New Jersey Business Action Center (NJBAC) offers a Live Chat on its website, www.business.nj.gov, or can be reached at 1-800-JERSEY-7 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, where New Jersey-based business experts will assist you and provide answers to your questions.
For more information contact the NJDEP Division of Solid and Hazardous Waste at singleuseplastics@dep.nj.gov or 609-984-4250.
To learn more about New Jersey Clean Communities’ “Bag Up” campaign, visit: https://www.bagupnj.com/
To gain access to free resources provided by the Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions (ANJEC), visit: https://njnoplastics.org/
New Jersey Tourism Industry Association Wishes All A Great Independence Day in the Garden State
NJTIA reminds all that from the Skylands to the Shore , the upcoming holiday weekend means a lot to our state economy
Whether you are off for the day, planning a vacation or taking a long weekend, Independence Day is celebrated as the summer season highlight. With millions traveling across our state, the New Jersey Tourism Industry Association wishes all a safe and happy Independence Day. Visitors spending their holiday in New Jersey this July will have options galore from historic sights that were critical to our country’s revolutionary victory to the trend-setting spots that make you savor summer.
Creating much more than a getaway, travelers such as the many coming in this holiday mean big business. Tourism is one of the most important industries in New Jersey. With total spending by visitors to the state reached $44.7 billion, which generated $5 billion in state and local taxes in 2018. The Economic Impact of Tourism in New Jersey Report released May 9 at NJTIA Advocacy Day by the Department of State’s Division of Travel and Tourism, which showed that visitor spending supported 333,860 jobs throughout the state. When combined with indirect and induced jobs, tourism sustained more than 531,000 jobs, making it the 7th largest employer in New Jersey. With actually 10 percent of New Jersey’s jobs supported by tourism. The recent report found that 2018 marked the ninth straight year that visitor spending increased, growing more than 30 percent since 2009.
The New Jersey Travel and Tourism Association (NJTIA) is a 501 c 6 non-profit trade organization. Its members include every aspect of the multi-billion dollar State tourism industry and are a representative body of organizations that promote and serve the individual aspects of that industry. On a daily basis, the organization dedicates itself to the cause of building tourism within NJ. They are currently planning their annual NJ Tourism Conference in Atlantic City on December 4-5. For more information on becoming a member go to www.njtia.org or follow on facebook as New Jersey Tourism Industry Association and on instagram as @NJTIA.