MARYLAND (WBFF) — Grab some Black-Eyed Susans, put on your best Orioles baseball cap, lace up your favorite hiking boots and get ready to celebrate National Travel & Tourism Week in Maryland!

Join Maryland Tourism Coalition as they garner a greater awareness of the tourism industry that simulates economic growth, cultivates vibrant communities, creates quality job opportunities and inspires new businesses, as well as elevates the quality of life for Marylanders.

“Tourism is an important economic driver across the country and here, too in the state of Maryland. It’s vital that we better inform the public about our impact and opportunities but also invite people to celebrate our accomplishments and look to the future in a meaningful way” said Ruth Toomey, Executive Director, Maryland Tourism Coalition. She added, “It’s a great time to join MTC as we have welcomed so many new member initiatives in just a short time, including a new Student Membership and new partnerships with both the Maryland Chamber of Commerce and the Restaurant Association of Maryland.”

From May 19-25, 2024, Maryland Tourism Coalition will partner with other local and state organizations to provide a series of events and promotions celebrating this special week.

Maryland Travel & Tourism Week Events Include:

• May 20 – May 24, 2024: Faces of Tourism – MTC will feature five different Faces of Tourism throughout the week on social media as a campaign that highlights personal stories of tourism professionals and how they got their start in this exciting field.
• May 20, 2024, Baltimore Convention Center, 10 a.m.-1:00 p.m.- Join MTC, Maryland Office of Tourism, Visit Baltimore, media and industry partners as Governor Moore officially proclaims Maryland Travel and Tourism Week and kicks-off National Travel & Tourism Week. (10-10:30 a.m.) And, then guests are invited to stay for a special networking event that includes a tour of the Convention Center, remarks from local dignitaries and refreshments. (fee for event; 11:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m.)
• May 21, 2024, Women of Hospitality Conference, American Visionary Art Museum, 8:30 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.- The Restaurant Association of Maryland (RAM) presents a conference highlighting a day of discussion, growth, and empowerment at the Women of Hospitality Conference. Themes include femininity in the workplace, how to confidently become your own boss, how to become a leader, the ins and outs of social media, the importance of diversity, community involvement, and overall growth, among other topics. For more information and to register, visit https://www.marylandrestaurants.com/women-of-hospitality.
• May 22, 2024, MTC Spring Seminar, Dorchester Center for the Arts, 10:30 a.m.- 3:00 p.m.- Join the Maryland Tourism Coalition on Maryland’s Eastern Shore as they discuss events that took place during Maryland’s Civil Rights Movement. The day will include lunch and a walking tour of downtown Cambridge. Make it an overnight and explore Cambridge. More details can be found at https://mdtourism.org/spring-seminar/.
• In 2022, Maryland attracted 43.5 million visitors who spent $19.4 billion. Spending by visitors reduces each Maryland household’s state tax burden by approximately $1,000 annually, generates $2.3 billion in state and local taxes and supports 187,296 jobs (direct and indirect jobs) making the tourism industry Maryland’s 12th largest private-sector employer. (source: Tourism Economic 2022)

For more information about these and other local events, visit https://mdtourism.org/.

ALSO READ | Pimlico’s Alibi Breakfast kicks off Preakness festivities, Mystik Dan in spotlight