Christie on the boards: Summer 2016 looks good for NJ shore towns

Gov. Chris Christie launched New Jersey into Memorial Day Weekend with a visit Friday to the boardwalk in Point Pleasant Beach.

Noting last summer's tourism revenue numbers were better than pre-Sandy figures, Christie said preliminary information points to another solid year for businesses and beaches along the Jersey Shore.

"We've got a lot of really good news from the motel and hotel industry, and usually that means it's going to be good news for the boardwalks, the restaurants and the other folks," Christie said after strolling the boards and posing for photos with shore visitors.

Compared to the same time last year, Christie said, hotels and motels at the shore are booking many more reservations for later in the summer.

This is the fourth summer since Sandy made landfall in New Jersey and destroyed 365,000 homes. Thousands of families are still working towards a permanent home, Christie said.

Following Point Pleasant Beach, Christie headed to Seaside Heights for another boardwalk visit.