Belmar Beach Badge Sales Up 47%
Sales show confidence in Belmar's return, mayor says
Belmar is surpassing last year's pre-season beach badge sales by wide margins, in what local officials said is a show of support beachgoers have in the borough's comeback after Hurricane Sandy.
Belmar beach badge sales have seen a significant increase with 3,037 badges sold so far for the 2013 season, a 47 percent increase over the sales of the same period last year.
And those sales came in although the tourism landmark of the boardwalk itself still needs to be rebuilt.
"This is without a boardwalk," Mayor Matt Doherty said.
Doherty said these figures show the confidence and interest beachgoers have in Belmar's recovery for summer. The borough is planning to have its boardwalk open by Memorial Day.
Isolating a month's sales and comparing it to the same time last year also shows incredibly strong sales. For example, the December sales have grown 70 percent over last year.
Beach badges are $50 for a seasonal pass; $15 for seniors; $7 daily; free for children 15 and younger and active duty military and their families.
Tex
10:30 am on Friday, March 15, 2013
Wow, I have a feeling Belmar will be as crowded mid week as it is on weekends since it is questionable whether other shore communities will be ready for the season. The mayor certainly deserves a lot of credit for the recovery although I am disappointed with the transparency of Birdsall's explanation of the boardwalk cost overruns.
Jimmy J
12:58 pm on Friday, March 15, 2013
WOW, maybe the truth should be told. This is the first year that Belmar went out with press releases, emails, and used social media to basically advertise that they offer discounted preseason beach badges. Thanks Mayor and Council, in the long run you may just have cost Belmar much needed revenue by this one of many recent publicity stunts.
marcus d'addio
3:27 pm on Friday, March 15, 2013
Jimmy J, it is interesting that you choose to take a very positive development like an almost 50% increase in season badge sales and spin it into a bad thing that will cost the town revenues. Believe it or not, sometimes good things happen and people do have good intent.
Jimmy J
6:37 pm on Friday, March 15, 2013
One can only agree with your last sentence, but you should also understand that sometimes people do thing for their own self-serving political interests. Check the facts and ask how much really was presold, maybe 1 or 2% of the total badge revenue that beach will take in on an average year? All these press releases coming out of Belmar are mere political theatre.
marcus d'addio
6:51 pm on Friday, March 15, 2013
Jimmy J, very jaded. This is a good thing and sales being up like this only bodes well for what is hoped to be a very good season.
Jimmy J
8:43 pm on Friday, March 15, 2013
Jaded? Jaded = Tired, bored, or lacking enthusiasm. What I stated here is the simple truth and I apologize if you do not recognize it as such. If you want a debate, reply with counter statements of facts and I will be more than willing to debate the initial issue of increased beach badge sales.
george fritz
8:57 am on Saturday, March 16, 2013
Jimmy J -- more advertising, more sales, so your point there is valid. But year-over-year sales growth is a strong indicator of improvement and health. Do we have to continue monitoring sales to ensure the town didn't just shift the sales curve up earlier with the PR blitz? Sure. But early signs look good, that's the only takeaway here. Wouldn't it be more worrying if year-over-year badge sales were down? What is the outcome that it would take for you to be pleased?
marcus d'addio
9:52 am on Saturday, March 16, 2013
Jimmy J, so your point is that season sales up 47% would only comprise a shift from 2% of annual sales to 3% or thereabouts (btw, not accurate), so why all the press releases, etc.? Yes, daily badge sales (which are weather dependent) is where most of the revenue comes from, but isn't a 47% improvement worth noting, especially given the fragile economy along with a severely damaged beachfront? As georgefritz mentions, what exactly is wrong here?
Cathy
2:32 pm on Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Jimmy J, What is your issue???? There's ALWAYS one person that has to see a negative side to everything. I think it's wonderful that Belmar will be ready for the summer! Can't say that for Seaside or other shore spots, can you? The on;y downside I see is that the beach will be more crowded than usual. But, who care's? Belmar is coming back and I for one am happy about it! Jimmy J, take your negative ass somewhere else.