VILLAS – In California, it was Anaheim – home to Disneyland. In Florida, it was Bay Lake, the Disney-controlled city to the east of the Magic Kingdom. In Illinois, it was the great city of Chicago. In New Jersey, it was Lower Township.
Airbnb announced the top summer family destinations for 2023 in all 50 states. In New Jersey, the leader was not Ocean City, “America’s Greatest Family Resort,” but Lower Township.
The selections were based on family-booked trips on Airbnb in the first half of 2023 for stays between June and August. Airbnb says that families seek two- or three-bedroom accommodations that save money and grant access to a variety of things to do.
It is likely that as the cost of on-the-island accommodations has risen, mainland towns at the Jersey Shore just a hop, skip, and jump away became more attractive.
The competition was fierce. According to Airbnb, families booked 13,000 destinations in the first half of 2023, an increase of 10% over the same period last year.
The township’s governing body added a 3% occupancy tax on short-term rentals that went onto effect just in time for summer 2023. The tax was obviously no deterrent to bookings.
Contact the author, Vince Conti, at vconti@cmcherald.com.
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