Oct. 23, 2012--Visitors to the Long Beach Island region in 2011 spent more than $1.2 billion, a study released by the Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce found.

The study was conducted to examine the full economic contribution by visitors to the Long Beach Island region to the county and state, a news release states. It was commissioned by the Long Beach Island Region Destination Marketing Organization on behalf of the chamber.

Independent market research company Rockport Analytics conducted the research.

The study reported that $459 million was spent on lodging, $296 million on food and beverage, $259 million on shopping, and $115 million on entertainment and recreation, the release states.

Long Beach Island region tourism supports 14 percent of all employment in Ocean County. Eighty-three cents of each dollar spent in the area by visitors is kept within Ocean County.

A presentation of the study will be given Jan. 8 at the State of the Chamber at Sea Oaks Country Club in Little Egg Harbor Township.

Information about the State of the Chamber event and the study is available through the chamber, located at 265 W. Ninth St. in Ship Bottom. Call 609-494-7211 or visit www.visitLBIregion.com

Contact Donna Weaver:

609-226-9198

[email protected]

Follow @DonnaKWeaver on Twitter

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