As we rapidly approach the unofficial start of the summer season with the upcoming Memorial Day Weekend, communities up and down the shore are continuing Superstorm Sandy clean-up efforts.

Seaside Heights
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A new poll finds four out of five residents across the region plan to spend at least some of their summer vacation time down the shore, and they're not worried about Sandy clean-up issues.

"New Jerseyans historically have a fierce pride for their state for their shore, for their beaches, and they want to get back to what they know," says AAA Mid-Atlantic spokeswoman Tracy Noble. "They want to recreate the memories that they had as a child at the Jersey Shore, for their children."

She says the new AAA survey finds despite the challenges that Sandy presented, visitors are determined to get back to the Jersey Shore.

"Although things may be going on with construction this summer, people are going to flock to the Jersey shore, they're going to support the local businesses, and they're going to do their part to help those businesses rebuild."

Noble adds the survey also found longer term stays for this summer have decreased.

"However, there are more people planning to take day trips this year, and of those day trippers, 20 percent of them plan to make over six trips this summer, which bodes well for the local businesses."

Where Are Summer Tourists Headed?

The poll finds 18 percent of those surveyed said they would visit Monmouth County, especially Belmar, 30 percent said Ocean County, with Point Pleasant being the most popular destination, 33 percent responded they would go to Cape May County and 15 percent chose Atlantic City.

"While Sandy may have altered the landscape of some shore communities," says Noble, "she did alter the pride and determination of its visitors."

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