tourism – Jay's Real Estate Blog

Tourism-related revenue continues to grow in Maryland

McHENRY — Maryland tourism was the topic of the Garrett County Chamber of Commerce’s Business Before Hours last Tuesday morning at Wisp Resort. About 50 local officials and business owners attended the networking event.

“This was the fourth year of revenue growth in the state of Maryland,” reported guest speaker Liz Fitzsimmons, managing director of the Division of Tourism, Film and the Arts for the Maryland Department of Commerce. “So we want to keep that trajectory going.”

Her division’s mission, she said, is to grow revenue for the state to benefit its citizens.

For the full article click here.

One of Deep Creek Lake’s Favorite Tourists: Albert Einstein

In September of 1946, Deep Creek Lake received a very special visitor:

Albert Einstein.

At this point in time, Einstein had created the basis for the atomic bomb (that he did not want to be used to hurt anyone) and the bombs had landed in Japan. He was quoted as saying, “The war was won but peace was not.” In such a hard time in his life, where did Einstein choose to find that peace?

That’s right, Deep Creek Lake.

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Einstein stayed with a local doctor who was treating him- Dr. Tom Wilson. Throughout his two week vacation, the famous scientist was seen walking his dog, fishing, bird watching, and sailing. With such a heavy heart and mind, Einstein was able to acquire some comfort here at Deep Creek.

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A man, Blair Thompson, was hired to assist Einstein during his vacation. Einstein gave the man an envelope with $50 inside and his signature in the corner. Thompson planned on keeping the envelope as a heirloom but unfortunately he lost it and it was never found.

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For more information about Einstein’s trip to Deep Creek Lake, please click here.

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Towns of Garrett County- Grantsville, Maryland

Located in Northern Garrett County, is a small town by the name of Grantsville, Maryland. Grantsville is known for its rich history on the infamous National Road. The Casselman Bridge is one of the largest attractions in the small town. Built in 1813, it was the largest single span stone arch bridge at the time. Today, it is open for the public to wander around the grounds. Spruce Forest Artisan Village is located directly next to the old bridge. The village consists of old log homes, school buildings, and a church. The buildings are open to the public and filled with local artisan vendors.

Today, Grantsville is home to 800 residents. With its charming main street and local shops, it is a great place to spend a day with the family. When is the best time to visit Grantsville? The Grantsville Days celebration in June! For more information, please visit http://www.visitgrantsville.com/.

Garrett County Tourism Outpaces Maryland Tourism Growth

Margot Amelia, Executive Director of the Maryland Office of Tourism, presented an update on the state of Maryland tourism at the Garrett County Chamber of Commerce’s Business Before Hours – Tourism Update on November 18 at Wisp Resort. According to Amelia, there has been considerable growth for Maryland tourism in recent years and Garrett County tourism has steadily outpaced the state’s increases.

During her presentation, Amelia tracked the progress of tourism since 2009. She stated that Maryland has grown tourism sales tax revenues 15.9 percent, while Garrett County has grown tourism sales tax revenues 21.8 percent during the same time period. Maryland has grown visitor spending 21 percent and Garrett County has grown visitor spending 38 percent. Maryland has grown lodging sales 14 percent while Garrett County has grown lodging sales 35 percent. Maryland has grown second home revenue 22 percent and Garrett County has grown second home revenue 39 percent. Maryland has grown hotel tax revenue 22 percent and Garrett County has grown hotel tax revenue 50 percent.

Read More Here: http://deepcreektimes.com/news.asp

Would drilling hurt Md. tourism? Report unclear

Associated Press Updated: August 18, 2014 at 5:31 pm •

FROSTBURG, Md. (AP) — A Towson University study of the potential economic impact of shale gas drilling in far western Maryland fails to answer what some critics said Monday is their biggest question: How would hydraulic fracturing for natural gas affect the tourism that accounts for a large share of the economy in Garrett County, where most of the drilling would occur?

Several members of the state panel that commissioned the study, including state Delegate Heather Mizeur, asked the authors to include language in their final report next month highlighting their lack of information about the tourism impact, as well their lack of cost analysis of a potential disaster such as widespread contamination of drinking water.

“Let’s just get real about what we were able to discover and, quite honestly, how much more there is that we didn’t even begin to touch on that was the whole initial charge of this commission to begin with,” Mizeur said. The Montgomery County Democrat made her opposition to hydraulic fracturing a part of her failed gubernatorial bid earlier this year.

Study author Daraius Irani of Towson’s Regional Economic Studies Institute, said his team found a dearth of usable data about the impact of hydraulic fracturing in tourist areas. The institute produced the $150,000 study for a state commission that aims to recommend regulations this fall for safe drilling in Maryland’s portion of the Marcellus shale formation.

Garrett County tourism revenue up 4 percent from last year

Chamber website visits also jump from 2012

For the Cumberland Times-NewsCumberland Times-News

MCHENRY — Garrett County had the highest accommodations sales collections ever recorded during fiscal 2013, which ended June 30, according to the Garrett County Chamber of Commerce. Revenue was up 4 percent compared to the previous year.

The July and August figures for this fiscal year have increased 3 percent over last year. The 2013 Heads on Beds tallies are up 15 percent over 2012. Through September 2013, the Comptroller’s Office of Maryland reports a 10.9 percent increase in Garrett County sales tax collections.

Visits to the chamber of commerce website, visitdeepcreek.com, have increased 30 percent over 2012.

According to the Maryland Office of Tourism, Garrett County saw a 6.3 percent increase in fiscal 2013 tourism sales tax revenues, the highest increase in the state by a county not operating a casino. Overall, Maryland saw a less than 1 percent increase in tourism sales tax revenues.

“Due to our aggressive marketing strategies, we have seen record accommodations sales in fiscal years 2010 to 2013,” said Nicole Christian, president/CEO of the chamber. “We’ve taken advantage of some new advertising opportunities and really concentrated our marketing and advertising efforts in our target markets. We are pleased our new ad buys have really paid off.”

More here.

Tourism rises in Garrett County, Deep Creek Lake area

By Megan Brockett, The Baltimore Sun5:24 p.m. EDT, October 25, 2013

Tourism gains boosted Garrett County and the Deep Creek Lake area during the last fiscal year, the result of record accommodations sales for the county and a sharp increase in tourism sales tax revenue, according to the Garrett County Chamber of Commerce.

Garrett County, roughly three hours from Baltimore by car, attracts visitors year-round with the state’s largest freshwater lake, Deep Creek Lake, and its only ski resort.

Tourism sales tax revenues for the county climbed more than 6 percent during the fiscal year that spanned July 2012 to June 2013, while tourism sales tax revenues for the state as a whole grew by less than 1 percent.

Maryland Heritage Area Grants to Boost Tourism throughout State

…In the Mountain Maryland, Gateway to the West Heritage Area, a grant of $12,500 to Garrett County Trails, Inc. will help to build a trailhead at the Garrett County/Deep Creek Lake Visitor Center in McHenry. The trailhead connects to a network of trails in the Deep Creek area and will feature hiking and biking trail maps on large, all-weather panels mounted to the side of the visitor center as well as a gathering area of brick pavers, a bench and a bike rack….

More here.

Over $170,000 In Heritage Area Grants Awarded To Support Local Tourism

Jul. 19, 2012

The Maryland Heritage Areas Authority recently awarded Garrett County’s Heritage Area four grants in support of heritage tourism projects and activities.

The Mountain Maryland Gateway to the West Heritage Area, managed by the Garrett County Chamber of Commerce, was awarded a $100,000 Heritage Area Management Grant and a $30,000 Heritage Area Marketing Grant. The Oakland Heritage Community Foundation Inc. was awarded a $31,772.50 grant for classroom improvements at the B&O Railroad Museum, and the Garrett County Historical Society was awarded a $13,000 grant for the exterior transportation history wall murals at the Garrett County Transportation Museum.

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These four grants were part of 63 matching grants totaling $2,713,480 awarded to Maryland non-profits, local jurisdictions, and other heritage tourism organizations – including heritage, historic preservation, natural resources and educational organizations – by the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority (MHAA). These grant funds support heritage tourism projects and activities that expand economic development and tourism-related job creation throughout the state. MHAA oversees Maryland’s system of 12 locally administered, state-certified heritage areas.

“Heritage areas are places to experience – see, hear and even taste – the authentic heritage of Maryland in a unique way that cannot be experienced anywhere else,” said a chamber spokesperson. “Stories of the people, the land, and the waters of Maryland are told in these unique places.”

Today, 21 Maryland counties and Baltimore City have state-certified heritage areas within their boundaries. Each of Maryland’s certified heritage areas is defined by a discrete focus or themes that make that place unique.

“These distinctive places exhibit tangible evidence of the area’s heritage in historic buildings and districts, archaeological sites, museums, parks, and natural landscapes, as well as traditional ways of life as revealed in food, music, and art,” said the spokesperson. “These tangible links not only draw visitors, but also encourage residents to recognize they have a special piece of the American story to treasure and share with others.”

Tourism generates jobs and revenue in Maryland. According to the chamber of commerce, one out of every 17 jobs in Maryland is in tourism, with tourism employment providing over $4 billion in wages and salaries. Visitors to Maryland spent over $13 billion, which generated over $531 million in direct tax revenue in all 23 counties and Baltimore City.

“The Maryland Heritage Area Program’s targeted investments help preserve the best of Maryland’s historic sites and towns, unspoiled natural landscapes, and enduring traditions, and in doing so create more livable and economically sustainable communities,” said Governor Martin O’Malley. “I congratulate Maryland’s 12 certified heritage areas and their tourism partners on these awards that will develop and market visitor destinations, support businesses, non-profits, and local jurisdictions engaged in heritage tourism, and help keep Maryland smart, green, and growing.”

MHAA has invested over $15.5 million into 334 projects throughout Maryland’s 12 certified heritage areas under the O’Malley-Brown administration. Governor O’Malley has supported funding for this program, said the spokesperson. because knowing that heritage tourism is a proven economic engine and a tool for preserving Maryland’s natural, historic, and cultural legacy.

More here.

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Shorten the summer break from school

Comptroller Peter Franchot’s call to push the start of the school year in Maryland past Labor Day has two things going for it.

It would pack more family vacation time into the warm beaches at Ocean City, and it would do the same at the cool mountains around Deep Creek Lake in Western Maryland.

The businesses that have invested at these two corners of the state live and die by tourism, and they have a relatively short season. The trend throughout the state is for an earlier start to the school year — the first day of classes for most St. Mary’s students will be Aug. 22. This cuts into the summer season.

From the economic point of view of these merchants, the push to reclaim every hot, sunny day before Labor Day for family fun makes sense.

More here.

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Category: tourism