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Atlantic City Transforms into Destination Resort
Friday, March 22, 2013 • 2:07pm
Atlantic City’s transformation into a destination resort is well underway, according to Atlantic City Tourism Performance Indicators (AC-TPI) in the 2012 Annual Report released by the Lloyd D. Levenson Institute of Gaming, Hospitality and Tourism (LIGHT) at The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey.
As Atlantic City transforms into a full-service entertainment destination, “broader measurements of tourist behavior and spending are needed - - and we’re providing them,” said Israel Posner, executive director of LIGHT.
The casino parking fee, the Atlantic City luxury tax and the Atlantic County hotel occupancy fee are “very representative of tourist behavior at a destination like Atlantic City,” said Dr. Brian Tyrrell, associate professor of Hospitality and Tourism Management Studies at The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey.
The parking fee is a measure of visitation, while the hotel tax reflects overnight stays and the luxury tax, dubbed the ‘martini tax,’ provides information on beverage and entertainment spending, Tyrrell explained.
The AC-TPI report, which will be updated quarterly, offers some surprising insights into the Atlantic City’s performance as a tourist destination.
“While Hurricane Sandy clearly had a major impact in the fourth quarter, on an annual basis, all three metrics were positive for 2012,” Tyrrell noted. When the storm shut down Atlantic City casinos for five or more days, it increased room demand for displaced residents and recovery personnel. The storm contributed to making 2012 the strongest year on record for the Atlantic County lodging industry as evidenced by over $5 million in tax revenue, Tyrrell said. “News media have primarily focused on declines in gaming revenue in Atlantic City, but that is far from the full story, Tyrrell said.
“Tourism, a $38 billion industry in New Jersey that supports the employment of one in 10 New Jersey residents, is extremely important for the South Jersey region and the State of New Jersey,” Posner added.
Visitors are spending more in shops, restaurants and on other entertainment, so a broader set of metrics is more appropriate to capture what tourists do besides gambling, Tyrrell added.
“We’re pleased to work with our partners, the Atlantic City Alliance, the New Jersey Casino Control Commission, the Greater Atlantic City Chamber of Commerce, and the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority in helping to provide information as Atlantic City transforms into a regional destination resort,” said Posner.
For more information or to view the ACTPI report, please visit www.stockton.edu/Levenson and click on Research; or email Brian.Tyrrell@Stockton.edu or Israel.Posner@Stockton.edu.
Caesars Entertainment’s Eastern Division (Caesars, Harrah’s Resort, Bally’s, Showboat Atlantic City and Harrah’s Philadelphia) has committed all of its resort and casino properties to participate in the World Wildlife Fund's Earth Hour, visually demonstrating its responsibility to operating in an environmentally conscience manner. All Caesars Entertainment worldwide resorts and casinos will shut off non-essential exterior lighting and marquees, which do not pose a security risk, from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m., local time on, Saturday, March 23.
"It is great that we are able to bring awareness to climate change and share this amazing experience with our guests," said Ron Baumann, Senior Vice President and General Manager for Harrah’s Philadelphia.
“The time to reduce our carbon footprint is now and Earth Hour is a unified visual representation of Caesars Entertainment’s commitment to the environment,” said Danny Brockdorf, Regional Vice President of Marketing for Caesars Entertainment. “We have responsibilities to our guests, employees, and to the environment we live and work, so as a worldwide company we are proud to have invested over $70 million into finding more efficient energy solutions.”
Earth Hour is an event in which millions of people turn off their lights for one hour in support of action on climate change and toward creating a cleaner, safer and more secure future. Now in its fifth year, Earth Hour asks people the world over to go beyond the hour and think about what else they can do to make a difference when the lights come back on.
Ono Chinese Bistro Re-opens Friday, April 5 along with the Return of the Popular Jazz Series Every Sunday Starting April 7 at The Atlantic Club Casino Hotel
Atlantic City, NJ (March 21, 2013) – Ono Chinese Bistro re-opens Friday, April 5 at The Atlantic Club Casino Hotel along with the return of the highly anticipated Jazz Series each Sunday, beginning Sunday, April 7. The shows are open to the public and feature world renowned artists from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.*
Ono Chinese Bistro boasts one of Atlantic City’s most spectacular ocean views, an amazing Sushi Bar, and a full menu of traditional Chinese fare. Diners can choose from popular Chinese selections including General Tso’s Chicken, Pepper Steak and Shrimp with Lobster Sauce. While menu prices at The Atlantic Club’s restaurants are always the best deal in town, Ono features Happy Hour deals just as sweet as the jazz melodies filling the room. Happy Hour specials are available from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday with extended hours on Sunday from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. During regular restaurant hours Happy Hour specials in the bar and lounge is extended: $5 Martini’s; $5 Wine by the Glass; $2 All Domestic Bottles; $3 All Imported Bottles; and special half-price appetizers and sushi. Also half price bottles of wine. For a complete menu or to make a reservation visit; www.AtlanticClubCasino.com.
Schedule of Performers:
April 7 Bob Albanese, Piano & John Benitez, Bass
April 14 Tom Adams, Piano & Andy Lalasis, Bass
April 21 James Weidman, Piano & Harvie S, Bass
April 28 John DiMartino, Piano & Boris Kozlov, Bass
The Sara and Sam Schoffer Holocaust Resource Center at The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey has announced the Yom HaShoah Program for 2013, “Unto Every Person There Is a Name - Remembering the 6 Million Jewish Victims of the Holocaust.”
Yom HaShoah is the Hebrew phrase for Holocaust Remembrance Day. The program, which is free and open to the public, will be held at Congregation Beth Judah, 700 North Swarthmore Avenue in Ventnor, on Tuesday, April 9, 2013 at 7 p.m. promptly. The program will highlight local Holocaust survivors and will include a memorial service. Seating is on a first-come, first-serve basis.
The keynote speaker will be Ventnor resident Ruth Kessler, a Holocaust survivor who escaped Austria on a Kindertransport in 1938. She will share how acts of kindness and bravery shown during the Shoah (the Holocaust) changed the fate of many Jewish children like her living in Nazi occupied Europe. The Kindertransport rescue operation aided 10,000 children in finding homes in England where they lived until the war was over. Now 75 years after this rescue effort, Holocaust survivor Ruth Kessler will share her Kindertransport story on this important anniversary.
For questions, please contact The Sara and Sam Schoffer Holocaust Resource Center at The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey at 609-652-4699.
IMAX at Tropicana continues to revolutionize the theater experience. The region’s sole giant screen certified IMAX theatre will experience some major upgrades at the end of the month including a state-of-the-art digital projection system, enhanced surround sound system with all-new speakers, customized giant-certified screen, renovated seating, and new menu options at the concession stand.
One of the biggest improvements to the IMAX experience is the new surround sound system. Precisely tuned for superior clarity and directionality, the new digital audio system contains nXos, which helps deliver laser-aligned digital surround sound with pinpoint accuracy. Additionally, movie soundtracks are re-mastered specifically for IMAX’s proprietary audio system.
The most significant benefit to theatre’s conversion allows for access to a larger variety of IMAX movie selections. “Every one of these changes will enhance the viewer experience,” said Steve Callender, General Manager. “We are especially excited about our all new proprietary 55 foot x 75 foot silver screen, which is specifically designed to deliver superior visual impact through uniform brightness and minimal ghosting.”
The theatre will closed through March 26th to complete the renovation process and conversion. A grand re-opening hosted by 95.1 WAYV is scheduled for Wednesday March 27th. The first feature film in the revamped theatre will be G.I. Joe: Retaliation in IMAX 3D playing at 7pm and 10pm before its official open on March 28th.
Guests during opening weekend will receive exclusive discounts by showing their IMAX tickets at the following locations:
Boogie Nights- Half off admission on Friday 3/29 only
Carmine’s- Receive a free chocolate torta with purchase of entrée by presenting at least two IMAX tickets before 5pm (valid 3/27 through 4/15)
Seaside Café- Receive half price pizza (valid 3/27- 3/31)
Fiesta Buffet- Receive a discounted price of $18.95 plus tax (valid 3/29, 3/30 & 3/31 after 4pm)
As usual, guests will receive IMAX reward points toward free and discounted items with each IMAX ticket purchase by using the IMAX Rewards card. Sign up for yours at the IMAX box office. Must be 21. Looking for something to do after the movie? In addition to a superior theatre experience, IMAX movie-goers can take advantage of a variety of recreational opportunities in The Quarter—Tropicana’s 200,000 square foot entertainment complex featuring more than 20 restaurants, 25 stores and 15 bars and lounges to round out their visit.
For group sales please contact Kathleen at 609-340-4045 or kflorich@tropicana.net. IMAX Theatre at Tropicana is located on the third level of the Quarter in the Tropicana Casino & Resort in Atlantic City, NJ.
Faculty and staff at The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey will show off their talents onstage on Tuesday, April 2, 2013, raising funds to bring the next guest lecturer to the College for the Paul Lyons Memorial Lecture Series.
“Stockton’s Got Talent,” sponsored by the School of Arts and Humanities, will take place in the Stockton Performing Arts Center (PAC). Doors open at 7 p.m. with a pre-show by the Stockton Faculty Band beginning at 7:15 p.m. The show runs 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Dr. Paul Lyons was a distinguished professor of social work, a five-time author, a scholar and a musician. The College’s memorial lecture series honors his legacy each year by bringing in a leading scholar in American studies, an area in which Lyons focused much of his research.
Tickets are $5 for students with an ID and $10 for adults. To purchase tickets, call the Box Office at 609-652-9000 or visit www.stockton.edu/pac.
“Duality,” Atlantic City Alliance’s free, family-friendly, outdoor 3D sound and light show projected onto historic Boardwalk Hall, returns to Atlantic City, NJ on the first day of spring, March 20, replacing the past season’s light-hearted fantasia “Winter Sweet.” “Duality” will run every half hour from 8 – 11 pm nightly.
“Duality’s” return will be a limited engagement with a brand new show planned for the summer. More details will be announced in the coming weeks but let’s say it’ll be a feast for your eyes and ears. Note: Please change that name!