For the first time in 32 years, Cape May County is the top tourism destination in New Jersey—and the numbers are staggering.
Visitor spending reached a record $8.44 billion in 2025, a 4.2% increase from the previous year, according to county officials. The county drew 12 million visitors and supported more than 42,000 jobs—outpacing every other county in the state for tourism-related economic activity for the first time since 1993.
The lodging sector alone generated $3.59 billion, up 6.9% year-over-year. Cape May County led New Jersey in food and beverage, retail, and recreation spending.
“With a record-breaking $8.44 billion in visitor spending in 2025, Cape May County outperformed every other county in New Jersey for the first time in 32 years,” said Tourism Director Diane Wieland. “Our business owners have proven yet again that their hard work and resilience can overcome even the most challenging of years.”
What makes the milestone more impressive is how it was achieved. Tourism officials have spent recent years pushing to transform the county into a year-round destination. It’s paying off. More than half of visitors reported coming to Cape May County two or more times in a single year, a sign that the county’s appeal is no longer just a summer story.
The county’s primary marketing reach covers 30 million people within a 300-mile radius, stretching from Greater Philadelphia and New York to the Baltimore-D.C. corridor and Connecticut.
The momentum carries into this summer. Cape May County is launching an America 250 campaign to celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary. The Shore destination will lean into its historic roots and coastal identity, drawing travelers from all over to New Jersey’s southernmost county.