Maryland Insights

Gov. O’Malley added that small and family-owned enterprises - which make up 95 percent of tourism-related businesses "are the key to how we’re going to turn the corner from recession to recovery to prosperity.” The tourism industry supported 146,000 full-time equivalency jobs in 2008 – generating $4 billion in wages and salaries, according to an end-of-year report from the Maryland Tourism Office.

More than 28 million visitors came to Maryland during 2008 and spent $14.5 billion on travel-related expenses – a 3.2 percent increase in spending over 2007.

2010 Tourism calendar features 750 events
The Tourism Office has released its 2010 Maryland Calendar of Events – a magazine-style publication that includes listings for more than 750 fairs, festivals and special events across the state.“This handy resource features many festivals and events that celebrate our state’s unique history and heritage,” said Gov. Martin O’Malley.

“We encourage visitors to also browse our web site – VisitMaryland.org – for updated information and listings,” said Margot Amelia, executive director of the Tourism Office.

Get this free 2010 calendar by calling 800-719-5900, or order online as part of a “Maryland Vacation Travel Kit.” In addition to the calendar, the kit includes Destination Maryland (the state’s official travel guide) and a Maryland State Highway Map. Welcome Centers and local tourism offices also have the calendars.

1812 stakeholders meet at ‘Head of the Bay’
The Maryland War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission hosted its third of six conferences for stakeholders linked to the upcoming bicentennial celebrations across the state. About 40 people attended the “Head of the Bay” conference, Dec. 10, in and around Havre de Grace.

The conference started with a discussion led by historians Christopher T. George and Michael Dixon. A tour then began at the Concord Point Lighthouse. It was near the lighthouse where John O'Neill – a local militia member – single-handedly fired cannons against the invading British in May 1813.

Subsequent stops on the tour included: Rodgers Tavern, once owned by Commodore John Rodgers; the site where Principio Furnace, a manufacturer of cannons and ordinance, had stood; and Elk Landing in Elkton.

The final three conferences – on the Eastern Shore, at North Point and in Baltimore City – will take place in 2010.

Photo:
(L to R) Wini Roche, Harford County DMO; Sarah Colenda, executive director of Principio Furnace Foundation, Inc.; and Sandy Turner, Cecil County DMO, enjoy a dessert reception arranged by the foundation for the tour group.

NPS director opens U.S. tour at Fort McHenry
Jonathan Jarvis, who became the 18th director of the National Park Service (NPS) in September, came to Fort McHenry, Dec. 10, where he began a national tour to promote national park sites as places that all Americans can relate to. He met with students from two Baltimore City schools, had lunch with community leaders and participated in a town- hall meeting at a local school.

In a September message to NPS employees, Jarvis said that making the parks relevant is one of his prime goals. “We need to help all Americans – especially young people – discover a personal connection to their national parks.”

Jarvis has been with the Park Service for 32 years. Prior to becoming director, he was regional director for the Pacific West Region. President Obama nominated Jarvis in July for the top position at NPS.

Frederick gaining traction as culinary destination
Bryan Voltaggio’s season-long run on Top Chef – Bravo’s award-winning chef-contestant show – has sparked new interest in Frederick’s dining scene.

Frederick native Voltaggio is chef and partner at Volt, one of the restaurants in Frederick that features products made or grown in Frederick County. On Bravo’s web site, he says, “Through our choice of ingredients we become engaged in more than creating a great dining experience, but in supporting local agriculture.”

Volt is one of the town’s 60-plus eateries and food shops. “Frederick is becoming discovered for what it is – a culinary destination that lets visitors experience how good Maryland fare can taste,” says John Fieseler, director of the Tourism Council of Frederick County.

The Downtown Frederick Partnership, Tourism Council and local restaurants are planning for Frederick’s first restaurant week in the spring.

MSAC convenes info session for Latino arts community
After reaching out to Maryland’s Latino community for several months, the Maryland State Arts Council (MSAC) is planning its first Latino Arts Roundtable, Tuesday, Jan. 12, 1-4 p.m., to discuss grant opportunities and how to best serve that community. The event will be at the Arts Council’s office, 175 W. Ostend St. in South Baltimore.

“Historically, the Arts Council has been a leader among state arts agencies in gaining a broad and diverse constituency,” says Clifford Murphy, an MSAC program director. “We aim to continue that leadership by convening Latino leaders and artists in order to extend our grant programs into Maryland’s growing Latino community.”

Bilingual Spanish and English speakers will be at the meeting to assist with translation. Please RSVP by Jan. 8. For more information, call or e-mail Shirley Howard, 410-767-6542; or Clifford Murphy, 410-767-6450.

Tourism Office drives more traffic to VisitMaryland site
The latest issue of the Maryland Tourism Monitor – the Tourism Office's monthly report that measures visitor activity, advertising response and trends in state travel – is available online.

Among its findings for October: More than 130,000 prospective visitors have responded to online advertising this fiscal year – an increase of 50 percent over last year – while the FY 2010 online advertising budget is 13 percent lower than last year’s budget for the comparable time period. Print advertising has also generated 30 percent more requests – at this point in the fiscal year – with a budget that is 1 percent lower than last year’s.

Total collections in tourism-related tax codes for the first quarter of FY 2010 declined 3.1 percent, but outperformed overall sales-tax collections, which declined 7.3 percent compared to the first quarter of FY 2009. The tourism tax factor lags 6.9 percent compared to last year.

Cross-country skiing is permitted along the Western Maryland Rail Trail. Fort Frederick State Park manages the trail, but does not groom it for this activity, preferring to “let nature take its course.”