2011 Tourism Partnership of the Year Awarded

The “2011 Tourism Partnership of the Year” was recently awarded to Maryland Life magazine. The award was given by the Maryland Association of Destination Marketing Organizations (MDMO), at the annual Maryland Tourism & Travel Summit.  

The event was held Nov. 2-4, at the Marriott Inn & Conference Center at UMUC in College Park, Maryland. Top tourism professionals in Maryland got together for educational opportunities and networking, along with vend0rs, suppliers, supporters, government professionals, and elected officials.

According to an article on Marylandlife.com, “Tourism is a significant industry in Maryland. More than 29 million visitors spent more than $13.6 billion last year, and the tourism industry employs 134,000 people throughout the state. The industry generated more than $1.6 billion in tax revenues for state and local governments.”

For more information about MDMO, visit www.tourismworksformaryland.com.

Good News for Maryland Tourism Industry

Maryland’s tourism industry is in growth mode, despite the poor economy. That’s according to an article in the online publication Maryland Community News on Gazette.net.

The 5.1% increase over 2010 means that for the first time, the state is eligible for $3.6 million in additional federals funds, since the minimum qualification is 3% growth.

“The industry is getting ready to rally and push for funding,” said Margot Amelia, executive director of the Maryland Office of Tourism.

Each of the state’s high-performing destination marketing organizations were honored with a governor’s citation at the Maryland Tourism & Travel Summit held in Aldephi on Nov. 4.

David Reel, president and CEO of the The Maryland Tourism Council said that the group is working on their strategic plan to increase diversity among its members, and to plan for future growth.

To read the full article, click here.

 

Tourism Creates JOBS

Greetings from the Maryland Tourism Council.  We are the trade association that in conjunction with the Maryland Office of Tourism Development, sponsors the Maryland Tourism and Travel Summit.  This year the conference and trade show will be held at the state of the art, UMUC Conference Center in Hyattsville, MD.  There are many reasons that you should attend this conference.  We’ve sent a “save the date” via mail, numerous announcements via email, postings on web sites and in social media.  But we all need to focus on the one thing that means more than all the rest.  The one thing we should always be thankful for, but often overlook.  The one thing we don’t talk about enough that businesses all over Maryland have in common, that taxpayers should care about and students should learn about.

Tourism creates jobs.
One more time.
Tourism creates jobs.

For every 233 visits to Maryland, a new job is created.
Tourism is responsible for one of every 14 jobs in Maryland.
Tourism is directly responsible for more than 134,000 jobs, and indirectly for another 36,000 more.

In a time of economic downturn all over the country, when turmoil is on the rise,  the bright, guiding light of tourism remains steady, even growing.  Won’t you please join us in sustaining the wonderful tourism workforce we have, and participate with us in ways to create more jobs for more Marylanders?

We’ll be happy to show you the ways.

REGISTER NOW

November 2-4, 2011 at Marriott, UMUC

MTTS 2011

Deadlines are fast approaching!

Marriott Inn & Conference Center at UMUC
Prince George’s County, Maryland
November 2-4, 2011

Reserve Your Hotel Room (Summit rate deadline: October 4)
Call the Marriott at (301) 985-7300, Mention the Maryland Tourism & Travel Summit (MTTS) and ask about different room options

MTC Awards (Nomination deadline: October 4)
Awards Solicitation Document
Nomination Form

Register Online for the Summit Now (Deadline: October 19)
Online registration requires a one-time account activation.
This is different from the MTC website account you may have already established. 2011 Speakers complete biographies and photos

2011 MTTS Sponsorship Opportunities (Deadline: October 19)

TOLL INCREASE UPDATE

The Maryland Transportation Authority (MdTA) has agreed in principle to a new toll increase proposal that will result in smaller increases than those proposed earlier this year. The MdTA action is consistent with recommendations made at public hearings on this issue by MTC Chair Sandy Turner and MTC President/CEO David Reel. Unlike many of the public comments made at the hearings in opposition to any increases, Sandy and David testified that MTC agreed that some increases were necessary but the original proposed increase amounts were simply too much. The revised proposal would raise eastbound tolls on the Bay Bridge and westbound tolls on the 301 Bridge in Southern Maryland to $4 this year and $6 in 2013. The proposal also includes reduced toll increases for recreational trailers and small freight vehicles. Tolls on the Francis Scott Key Bridge, Baltimore Harbor Tunnel and Fort McHenry Tunnel will go from $2 to $4 by July 2013. Non commuter tolls on the Hatem Bridge will be equal to those on the Kennedy Highway largely to discourage a diversion of long-distance traffic from Interstate 95. The Intercounty Connector in Montgomery and Prince George’s County will not see any toll increases. Final action by the MdTA Board of Directors is set for Thursday September 22. Their decision is not subject to review or further modification by the General Assembly or the Governor.