Freeholders gear up for tourism in 2008

The Ocean County Freeholders are seeking sponsors of tourism events and those who can host large groups of visitors to submit information about their venues for consideration to be listed in two publications the county plans to publish and distribute.

The 2008 Calendar of Event Highlights will list major and multi day events of interest to tourists.

Group Tours/Motor Coach Trips will list those venues able to host large groups.

Freeholder Joseph H. Vicari, tourism liaison said, "Both these publications are useful not only for tourists, but for residents as well. We have many groups traveling within the county to various events and attractions and the many fine activities and events enhance our quality of life. These publications will be great recreational resources."

Organizations and businesses that are interested in attracting groups and motor coach tours and can host a minimum of 35 and up to 55 people should contact the Ocean County Tourism Council at (732) 506-5050 or (800) 722-0291, ext. 5050. Tourism venues that may qualify include restaurants, accommodations and attractions in Ocean County.

Sponsors of next year's major events of interest to tourists are asked to submit the name of the event, date, place, brief description, location and contact phone number for public dissemination to Vicari at P.O. Box 2191, Toms River 08754-2191.

The county also publishes a monthly or two-month calendar during the year for those events not yet finalized or should there be more events than space permits in the highlights brochure. The county also promotes the events on two Web sites: www.oceancountytourism.com and www.co.ocean.nj.us.

The motor coach brochure is published in cooperation with the New Jersey Office of Travel and Tourism through its promotional grant program.

The deadline for response for either publication is Sept. 24.