Annapolis Capital Punishment

Anne Arundel County, which includes Annapolis, is one of the major political jurisdictions in Maryland for travel generated expenditures. According to a recent study, nearly 5.3 million visitors to Anne Arundel County left behind nearly $2.3 billion in new revenues in 2007. This accounts for 16.3% or about one-seventh of Maryland’s total visitor expenditures. Of this, $1.2 billion went to transportation; $339.5 million was spent on food and beverages; and $249.7 million covered lodging costs. Visitors spent $172.9 million on entertainment and $265 million while shopping. Travel expenditures in Anne Arundel County generated $684.5 million in payroll income for jobs directly related to tourism and another $363.9 million for jobs indirectly impacted by tourism.

The tourism industry in Anne Arundel County employs nearly 23,000 workers and is the county’s third largest employer. Tourism expenditures in Anne Arundel County account for $277 million in state and local taxes, and another $315.3 million in federal taxes. Spending by travelers in Maryland totaled $13.6 billion in 2007. The tourism industry supported 183,645 jobs and generated $1.7 billion in state and local taxes. It generated another $1.9 billion in federal taxes.

Anne Arundel County and Annapolis are marketed through the Annapolis Anne Arundel County Conference and Visitors Bureau (AAACCVB) which has a year-round visitors center on inner West Street and a seasonal kiosk in downtown, historic Annapolis.

The bureau printed and distributed two hundred thousand visitors guides and greeted 164,000 visitors at its two centers last year. It is also responsible for bringing The International Drum & Bugle Association’s championships for 2012 to the area. Historically this event has generated 6,000 room nights over the Labor Day weekend bringing an economic impact of over $5 million.

The AAACCVB is partially funded by a hotel and lodging tax that generated over one million dollars last year to support its marketing efforts. It is celebrating its twentieth anniversary this year and recently produced a short film showcasing its successes and accomplishments with brief interviews of local tourism providers and public figures.  Learn more at http://www.visitannapolis.org/index.aspx .

So, dear locals, the next time you bring guests to town, be sure to take them to the visitors' center and when you run into a tourist, give them a good welcome!

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