Atlantic City Business: Misinformation About Storm Damage Hurting Tourism

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- The tourism district of Atlantic City was virtually unscathed by Hurricane Sandy, including its famed boardwalk.

However, because of some erroneous news reports on national television, many would-be tourists have gotten the false impression it was heavily damaged.

"The scenes that they kept showing on television was actually a part of the boardwalk that's past our newest casino 'Revel,' which is all the way at the end of the inlet. It was a part of the boardwalk that was blocked off because it was actually due for demolition and I guess everybody realizes what happens with television. Everybody goes for sensationalism and that's what they did, unfortunately," said Frank Pileggi, the manager of the Irish Pub and Inn.

The truth is that all of the piers in the city are fine, but the problem has been that tourism is suffering in Atlantic City as a result of the misinformation.

"It's a shame because it's hurting and the people have lost all their possessions, but theses are also the same people that are dependent on Atlantic City doing business so they can feed themselves and their children," Pileggi said.

Pileggi said he hopes that people will decide to come back to Atlantic City.

"See for yourself that the city's is in as great a shape as it was before the hurricane as far as the tourism district goes and that you can come stay at the casinos, certainly eat, drink at the Irish Pub and just that we hope to see everybody here in Atlantic City as soon as possible," he said.

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