In the first quarter of fiscal year 2017 (July 1, 2016 – June 30, 2017), Garrett County experienced the highest increase in the state in tourism sales tax revenues, nearly twice the tourism increases posted by the state of Maryland. The Garrett County Chamber of Commerce, the designated tourism marketing organization for the county, attributes much of the increase to the Chamber’s aggressive marketing plan with concentrated efforts and new ad strategies.
According to the Maryland Office of Tourism, in the first three months of Fiscal Year 2017 (July, August & September 2016), Maryland grew tourism sales tax revenues 3.0%, while Garrett County grew tourism sales tax revenues 5.8% during the same time period.Maryland grew lodging sales tax code collections 5.5% in the first three months of FY17, while Garrett County grew lodging sales tax collections 7.8%.
Garrett County experienced similar increases in fiscal year 2016 (July 1, 2015 – June 30, 2016). According to the Maryland Office of Tourism, in fiscal year 2016, Maryland grew tourism sales tax revenues 6.4%, while Garrett County grew tourism sales tax revenues 7.0% during the same time period.Maryland grew lodging sales tax code collections 6.3% in FY16 while Garrett County grew lodging sales tax collections 9%.
“We are very pleased to see a strong first quarter for FY17 as we approach the winter season that is extremely weather dependent,” said Nicole Christian, president & CEO of the Garrett County Chamber of Commerce. “It is exciting to be leading the state in tourism growth but we are very aware that we have to continue our robust and innovative marketing efforts to remain competitive. We hope the State Office of Tourism will continue their efforts as well and that the Governor will maintain his support of this important industry by increasing tourism promotion funding for the Tourism Development Board.”
2016 has been a record year for tourism in the Deep Creek Lake area and Garrett County, Maryland with a 6.3% increase in county accommodations sales, a 19.3% increase in heads on beds, a 2.3% increase in sales tax collections and a 23% increase in visitors to the Garrett County Chamber of Commerce’s website, visitdeepcreek.com.
2016 has been a record year for tourism in the Deep Creek Lake area and Garrett County, Maryland with a 6.3% increase in county accommodations sales, a 19.3% increase in heads on beds, a 2.3% increase in sales tax collections and a 23% increase in visitors to the Garrett County Chamber of Commerce’s website, visitdeepcreek.com.
The increases follow a banner 2015 in Deep Creek Lake and Garrett County, which saw a 3.1% increase in county accommodations sales, a 2.5% increase in sales tax collections and a 46% increase in visitors to the Garrett County Chamber of Commerce’s website, visitdeepcreek.com.
The Chamber attributes much of the increase to the Chamber’s aggressive marketing plan with concentrated efforts and new ad strategies.
And, according to the Maryland Office of Tourism, Garrett County’s increases have even outpaced Maryland’s tourism growth. In Fiscal Year 2016 (July 1, 2015 – June 30, 2016), Maryland grew tourism sales tax revenues 6.4%, while Garrett County grew tourism sales tax revenues 7.0% during the same time period.Maryland grew lodging sales tax code collections 6.3% in FY16 while Garrett County grew lodging sales tax collections 9%.
“Tourism is an economic engine for Garrett County and we are pleased to see that this engine continues to churn out additional revenues and business for our community,” said Nicole Christian, president & CEO of the Garrett County Chamber of Commerce. “Even with Mother Nature being less than cooperative last winter and an abbreviated ski season, Garrett County’s overall tourism sales tax revenues still outpaced the state’s growth. We attribute this continued growth to our aggressive marketing efforts.”
This tweet from Olympian Michael Phelps’ mother Debbie (a native of Westernport) was making the rounds this week on Facebook among Garrett Countians, who were excited to show how much the record-breaking swimmer loves to play at Deep Creek Lake.
The photo is of Phelps and his sister Whitney having fun at the lake on July 4, 2013.
Taylor-Made Deep Creek Vacations & Sales, a leading vacation rental and real estate firm located in McHenry, MD, is pleased to announce the acquisition of Long & Foster Vacation Rentals & Real Estate at Deep Creek Lake. This will increase the number of professionally managed vacation rentals they represent to over 350 along with an increased number of real estate listings.
Long & Foster Deep Creek Lake has a long history in the Deep Creek Lake area and has an excellent reputation in all aspects of their business in the area as well as their service to the local community. Those characteristics make them an excellent fit with the Taylor-Made family.
“It is an exciting time at Taylor-Made! We now have a larger selection of vacation homes to offer our guests, and this is also a great boost for our growing real estate division,” stated Jodi Taylor Refosco, Owner of Taylor-Made Deep Creek Vacations & Sales. “Our team looks forward to welcoming new home owners, employees, and guests to the Taylor-Made family.”
Taylor-Made is owned by Jodi Taylor Refosco, her husband, Joe Refosco, and her brother Chad Taylor. They are hands-on owners who are involved in the day-to-day aspects of running the company. Betsy Spiker Holcomb and Jay Ferguson are co-owners of the real estate agency.
Starting with just 1 property in 2008, Taylor-Made quickly earned notoriety for their rapid growth. By harnessing technology and combining it with exceptional customer service and years of vacation rental industry experience, they built a platform that proved successful in an area where real estate and family vacation rentals are a vital part of the economy. Adding the strengths of the knowledgeable Long & Foster team puts Taylor-Made in an excellent position for future growth.
“The acquisition gives us the inventory and resources to better serve all of our customers – homeowners and guests alike,” stated Joe Refosco, Owner.
About Taylor-Made Deep Creek Vacations & Sales
Taylor-Made Deep Creek Vacations & Sales has become a frontrunner in Deep Creek Lake vacation rentals, real estate, and property services. Taylor-Made rental homes and sales listings are conveniently located within a few hour’s drive from Pittsburgh, Baltimore, and Washington, DC.
Join the iconic Honi Honi Bar for their 9th Annual Hot Dog Eating Contest and Kids Ice Cream Contest on Wednesday, August 3rd at 5:00pm!
They will have all sorts of fun and games, including face painting and sand art! So don’t miss out on all the FUN! There will also be live entertainment by Times Flies Duo!
Children ages 10 and up may participate in the hot dog eating contest and kids ages 9 and under may participate in the ice cream contest; Registration for Contests will be at 5pm. The fun starts around 6pm!
If you are in Deep Creek Lake from July 30 – August 6, you are in luck! The Garrett County Fair will be held right here on Mosser Road in McHenry, Maryland. Offering rides, agricultural contests, vendors of all kinds, and much more, the fair is not something to miss!
