Baltimore is a city on the rise.
Based on 2005 visitor statistics, international tourism is up 13 percent, tourist-generatedmoney increased by $700 million, and 12 million visitors last year mark a seven-year high.
“People want to come to a city that is constantly adding and changing, and that?s what Baltimore is,” said Nancy Hinds, vice president of public affairs for the Baltimore Area Convention and Visitors Association.
In just one year, the city opened two new attractions, Sports Legends at Camden Yards and the Reginald F. Lewis Museum.
Sites like the Walters Art Museum, the National Aquarium and the American Visionary Art Museum speak for the culture of the city, while Fort McHenry anchors Baltimore?s history.
“Baltimore is a city that has a lot of offerings and appeal for everyone,” Hinds said. “It is a well-balanced destination.”
In their quest to visit these and other sites, tourists poured $850 million into Maryland?s sales tax money.
This meant Maryland residents saved an average of $160 last year in taxes. The total direct spending of visitors reached $2.96 billion in 2005.
But the effects of tourism go much further, including those employed to serve and accommodate guests from all across the world.
According to a study by the Travel Industry Association of America, tourists contributed $10.7 billion to the statewide economy. That?s up from $10 billion the previous year.
When compared with cities of similar size and cultural attractions ? like Washington and Philadelphia ? Baltimore being a “very walkable city” sets it apart, Hinds said.
The increase in tourism reflects the opinion of Frommer?s Travel Guide which named Baltimore one of the top 10 places to visit in the summer of 2005.
Other destinations on the list included Belize, Barcelona and Brazil.
An internationally focused $300,000 ad campaign didn?t hurt either, officials said, netting an estimated return of $2 million. Most foreign tourists to the state came from England, France and other European countries.
Dennis Castleman, the state?s business and economic development assistant secretary, said the new focus is China.
Maryland just printed out tourism brochures in Chinese, and the state is set to devote a decent chunk of its $350,000 international ad campaign in 2007 to China.
“We hope to continue to raise destination awareness,” Hinds said. “Because once people come here, they?ll love it and come back again.”
Staff Writer Dena Levitz contributed to this article.
