Hurricane Sandy's billion dollar cost to US tourism

A preliminary report from New Jersey Governor Chris Christie's office has put the total damage done to the state's economy - including the state's $38 billion (£24 billion) US tourism industry - by Hurricane Sandy at almost $30 billion (£19 billion).

US visa

Hurricane Sandy has caused billions of dollars to New Jersey's US tourism industry.

Hurricane Sandy struck the east coast of the United States and Canada late last month, costing hundreds of lives as well as billions of dollars of damage. New Jersey, one of the worst states affected, has seen billions of dollars worth of damage done to its US tourism industry.

Governor Christie's office said its estimate of $29.4 billion, which includes damage to personal property and business as well as the state's infrastructure and tourism industry, was a 'conservative and responsible estimate' that could well end up being considerable higher.

"This preliminary number is based on the best available data, field observations and geographical mapping, and supported by expert advice from my Cabinet commissioners and an outside consulting company," said the governor.

Hurricane Sandy - dubbed Superstorm Sandy by the media - is the second costliest hurricane in American history and decimated parts of the Eastern Seaboard, leaving New Jersey's world famous in need of almost complete reconstruction.

However, Governor Christie - known for his bullish and outspoken stance - vowed to rebuild.

"I will spare no effort and waste no time to rebuild and restore our tourism industry, our transportation and utilities infrastructure and the lives of our citizens for the long term."

The American Visa Bureau is an independent migration consultancy specialising in helping people from Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries make their ESTA application.