Survey Finds Philadelphia-Area Residents Eager To Revisit South Jersey Shore
By Kim Glovas
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A new poll shows that more than 400,000 vacationers in the eight-county Philadelphia region are ready to return to the Jersey shore this summer.
The poll, by AAA Mid-Atlantic, found that a majority are planning on vacationing at the Jersey shore and have been following events about the cleanup after Superstorm Sandy (see related stories).
Most of the damage from the storm hit the beaches in the central and upper portion of the state, and AAA found that most in Philadelphia and its surrounding counties use South Jersey beaches.
But overall, says AAA's Jenny Robinson, people say they are eager to return to the Jersey shore.
"We found so much determination, especially among New Jerseyans, that they relly want to go back and support the local businesses," Robinson tells KYW Newsradio. "We're finding 'Jersey Strong' is not just a saying. About half of New Jersey people we polled said they are making specific efforts to visit the shore because they want to help the local businesses."
Robinson says the other good news is that gasoline prices are, on average, 17 cents per gallon cheaper than last year.