Governor Martin O'Malley Addresses Statewide Travel and Tourism Summit; Launches 'Green' Travel Program
OCEAN CITY, MD (November 5, 2009) – Governor Martin O’Malley addressed more than 300 tourism and hospitality professionals today at the 29th Annual Maryland Travel and Tourism Summit in Ocean City. During his remarks, Governor O’Malley presented several awards to industry stakeholders and launched the Maryland Green Travel Program, designed to attract so-called eco-tourists while creating a more sustainable future for all Marylanders.
“We’re so proud to live in our great state, known as ‘America in Miniature’ since Maryland offers so much for visitors to enjoy,” said Governor O’Malley. “We know that when it comes to growing smarter and more sustainably as a state, our choices are all connected. So as we work toward a more sustainable future, we can extend these principles to our travel and tourism industry with our new Maryland Green Travel Program.”
The Maryland Green Travel Program is a voluntary program that helps businesses find more environmentally sustainable ways of doing business, providing tips and resources to reduce waste, conserve energy and water, and better manage the environment. In turn, participants in the program share successful strategies for greening their business, and the results they’ve achieved. As part of this program, Maryland will launch a section of visitmaryland.com that will promote businesses that incorporate sustainability into their business practices.
Tourism is Maryland's fourth largest industry and has an economic impact on Maryland by creating jobs, generating tax revenue, and increasing business income. In 2007, tourist spending produced an estimated $13.6 billion, generating almost 141,000 jobs and $1.7 billion in State and local tax revenue. Maryland is outperforming national trends in travel and tourism, illustrated by an increase in tax revenue from the tourism industry, increased jobs data, and an increased demand for lodging. In 2008, Maryland welcomed 28 million visitors, up from 27.2 million in 2007.
Governor O’Malley also distributed the 2009 Maryland Tourism Awards to several industry stakeholders, noting each recipient’s contributions to the State in areas including green tourism, cultural heritage tourism and volunteerism, and elevating Maryland as a tourism destination. The Maryland Tourism Awards are open to all individuals, private businesses and non-profit organizations offering a tourism product or service in Maryland.
Green/Sustainable Tourism Award: The recipients of this award have embraced sustainable tourism through innovations in building construction, purchasing from local companies and promoting green practices not only to their employees but to their guests.
- Black Ankle Vineyards: An award-winning winery in Mt. Airy, Black Ankle Vineyards designed its tasting room almost exclusively with materials found, grown or harvested at its location. In addition, the tasting room is now 100% wind-powered. The winery opened to the public in fall 2008.
- Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Baltimore Downtown/ Inner Harbor: Baltimore’s first LEED certified hotel has made green practices an integral part of its operation. It has implemented a variety of procedures that promote sustainability, especially for energy efficiency, waste and pollution minimization and environmental purchasing.
Visit Maryland Award: The major goal of the Maryland Office of Tourism is to increase tourism revenue from its visitors. The recipients of this award have demonstrated creativity and consistency in promotional efforts to showcase Maryland.
- Host our Coast: An interactive promotional campaign on the Eastern Shore, Host our Coast is a collaborative effort by a variety of entities: Delmarva Low-Impact Tourism Experiences, Worcester County Tourism, University of Maryland Eastern Shore’s Rural Development, the town of Berlin, Full City Media, and Southern Delaware Tourism.
- Maryland Life: A bi-monthly magazine based in Frederick, Maryland Life has demonstrated outstanding investment and performance in improving Maryland’s image as a travel destination. Each full-color issue presents the state as an enticing place where residents or visitors can live, work, play and explore.
Cultural Heritage Tourism Award: The recipient of this award is recognized for outstanding investments and contributions in stewardship and development of Maryland’s cultural heritage product and engagement in regional and statewide tourism initiatives.
- John Brown 150th Anniversary Quad-State Committee: This unique committee represents a four-state effort to commemorate the 150th anniversary of John Brown’s raid on Harpers Ferry, which many consider to be the start of the Civil War. A new web site, preservation of sites, and interpretive markers help to tell the story of “the spark that became the inferno of the Civil War.”
Tourism Volunteer Award: Recognizes outstanding volunteer service to Maryland’s tourism industry regionally or statewide by a corporation, government, non-profit agency or individual.
- The Pathfinders: These dedicated volunteers welcomed many of the more than 20 million yearly passengers who come through BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport. They provide airport information, travel tips, and suggested itineraries 365 days a year.
Economic Engine Award: Awarded for job creation; positive impact to the region and state; and exemplary contributions to Maryland’s tourism industry, the recipients of this award have ramped up their performance while significantly contributing revenue for the state.
- Charles and Prince George’s counties: Each of these counties saw increases in tourism tax revenue in fiscal 2009, driven in part by the opening of two new attractions—Regency Furniture Stadium and National Harbor, respectively.
