Maryland Tourism Development Board

Maryland Tourism Development Board
Name	Maryland Tourism Development Board
Formation	20XX
Headquarters	Annapolis, Maryland
Jurisdiction	State of Maryland
Chief1 name	Jane Doe
Chief1 position	Executive Director
Parent agency	Maryland Department of Commerce

Contents

Maryland Tourism Development Board is a statutory advisory body established to promote travel and tourism within the State of Maryland and to advise the Maryland Department of Commerce on policy, strategy, and investment for visitor economy development. The Board convenes stakeholders from across the Eastern Shore, Western Maryland, Southern Maryland, Central Maryland, and the Baltimore metropolitan area to align destination marketing, heritage preservation, and event programming. It interfaces with federal entities such as the National Park Service, state agencies including the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and Maryland State Highway Administration, and regional partners like the Chesapeake Bay Program and the Baltimore Development Corporation.

History

The Board traces its statutory authorization to legislative initiatives during administrations of Governor Martin O'Malley, Governor Larry Hogan, and legislative action by the Maryland General Assembly to consolidate tourism promotion functions formerly distributed among entities such as the Maryland Office of Tourism and regional commissions. Early precedents include coordination efforts around heritage assets like Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine, Antietam National Battlefield, and the Assateague Island National Seashore, as well as event-driven development linked to the Preakness Stakes and National Aquarium. The Board’s establishment reflects trends in state-level destination management exemplified by agencies such as Visit California, New York State Division of Tourism, and Discover Puerto Rico.

The Board comprises appointed members representing tourism sectors—hotels, attractions, cultural institutions, and transportation providers—nominated by the Governor of Maryland and confirmed by the Maryland Senate. Ex officio participants include leadership from the Maryland Department of Commerce, the Maryland Tourism Coalition, and municipal partners like the City of Annapolis, the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore, and county visitor bureaus such as Montgomery County Department of Economic Development and Prince George's County. Governance is guided by statutes, procurement rules of the State Treasurer of Maryland and oversight from the Office of the Attorney General of Maryland. Committees mirror cross-sectoral priorities with liaisons to entities like Maryland Historical Trust, Maryland State Arts Council, and the Maryland Agricultural Commission.

The Board sponsors initiatives for destination marketing, heritage tourism, outdoor recreation, and cultural events. Signature programs collaborate with the National Park Service on sites including C&O Canal National Historical Park and Harriet Tubman National Historical Park, with grant support modeled on federal programs such as the National Endowment for the Arts matching grants. The Board advances agritourism with partners like the Maryland Farm Bureau and supports trail development with groups such as the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and the American Hiking Society. Major event initiatives coordinate with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Baltimore Orioles, University of Maryland, College Park, and festivals like the Baltimore Book Festival and Maryland Film Festival to drive shoulder-season visitation. Workforce development programs coordinate with Community College of Baltimore County, University System of Maryland, and hospitality training providers.

Funding streams include state appropriations approved by the Maryland General Assembly, fee revenues from the Maryland Tourism Development Fund, and federal matching through agencies like the Economic Development Administration and grants from the Institute of Museum and Library Services for cultural tourism. The Board commissions economic impact studies using models employed by organizations such as the Travel Industry Association of America and Tourism Economics to quantify visitor spending at destinations including Ocean City, Maryland, Annapolis, Baltimore Inner Harbor, and the C&O Canal. Impact metrics are compared with statewide indicators like tax receipts reported by the Maryland Comptroller and employment data from the Maryland Department of Labor. Capital investments coordinate with transportation funding from the Maryland Transit Administration and infrastructure programs administered by the Maryland Department of Transportation.

Strategic partnerships span national partners such as VisitBritain, Brand USA, and U.S. Travel Association as well as local partners like the Chamber of Commerce of Baltimore County, Greater Washington Board of Trade, and regional tourism offices in Delaware and Pennsylvania for multi-state itineraries including the Chesapeake Bay corridor and the Appalachian Mountains. Marketing campaigns leverage creative collaborations with institutions including the National Aquarium, Smithsonian Institution, Glenstone Museum, and performing arts groups like the Kennedy Center to promote cultural itineraries. Digital strategy aligns with platforms such as Google Arts & Culture partnerships for heritage storytelling and advertising buys coordinated through the Maryland Public Television and private media partners like The Baltimore Sun for earned and paid media.

Performance measurement uses tourism analytics tools and benchmarks from the U.S. Travel Association, Bureau of Labor Statistics, and Bureau of Economic Analysis to track visitation, spending, lodging tax receipts, and employment in sectors tied to attractions such as Fort McHenry, Baltimore Museum of Art, and Historic St. Mary’s City. Evaluation frameworks incorporate feedback from stakeholder groups including the Maryland Hotel Lodging Association, Maryland Restaurant Association, and municipal visitor bureaus. Periodic audits and program reviews are coordinated with the Office of Legislative Audits and incorporate research from academic partners like Johns Hopkins University and University of Maryland Center for Economic and Business Analysis to refine targeting, inclusivity, and sustainability of tourism growth.