A record 111 million visitors pitched in to boost tourism to a $44.7 billion industry in New Jersey that generated $5 billion in state and local taxes. New Jersey visitation surged 7.4 percent last year, and visitor spending rose 4.5 percent, an almost $2 billion increase.

Every year at this time the numbers are announced, and revenue-wise, they don’t disappoint. Research done for the N.J.