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May
13,
2008
Maryland’s
12 Welcome Centers celebrate the occasion with two major events
on Thursday: the opening of a temporary Welcome
Center at Prime Outlets Hagerstown and a ribbon cutting for the
automated kiosk at the Sideling Hill Welcome Center. The Prime
Outlets site temporarily replaces both the eastbound and westbound
I-70 Welcome Centers, which will be undergoing reconstruction
during the next 15 months. Secretary of the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development David W. Edgerley said that National Tourism Week “allows us to highlight the vast array of historical, recreational and family-friendly sites and attractions that make Maryland an increasingly popular travel destination.” The Travel Industry Association of America annually sponsors National Tourism Week in order to spotlight the cultural and social benefits, as well as the economic impact, of the U.S. tourism industry. This year – the event’s 25th anniversary year – the theme is “Discover Great American Traditions.” Recently compiled figures show that more than 28 million visitors came to Maryland during 2006, spending in excess of $11.4 billion and generating more than $895 million in state and local taxes. Tourism also provided Maryland residents with more than 116,000 jobs.
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“Tourism is not only the fourth leading industry
in Maryland, it also contributes significantly to the quality
of life for Maryland citizens,” said Governor Martin O’Malley,
while announcing the schedule of events for Maryland’s
celebration of National Tourism Week, May 10-18.
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