October 29th, 2015 by WCBC Radio

The Maryland Office of Tourism Development (OTD) – an agency of the Maryland Department of Commerce – and the Maryland Tourism Development Board (MTDB) presented their 2015 Maryland Tourism Awards at the 35th annual Maryland Tourism and Travel Summit in Ellicott City, Maryland. The awards recognize excellence and major contributions in cultural heritage tourism, sports travel, economic impact, and elevating Maryland's image as a tourism destination. Commerce Secretary Mike Gill and MTDB Chair Greg Shockley made the presentations during a luncheon at the conference. "I am proud to present the 2015 Maryland Tourism Awards," said Secretary Gill. "Tourism is an important economic driver and today we recognize the outstanding achievements of our tourism partners who support OTD and MTDB in fulfilling their mission of increasing visitor expenditures to the state." "These awards pay tribute to programs and organizations that have ramped up their performance and significantly contributed revenue to the state," said Shockley. One major award was presented to Garrett County:

Sports Tourism Award:  The recipients of this award are recognized for outstanding investments and contributions that increase sports-related visitation; and that elevate Maryland as a sports and recreation destination.

• Deep Creek 2014 and the ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships: Held September 17-21, 2014, Deep Creek 2014 hosted the ICF Canoe and Slalom World Championships at the Adventure Sports Centre International (ASCI) in McHenry, Maryland representing a return of this Olympic sport to the USA after a 25-year break when they were held on the Savage River in Western Maryland. Over the course of the multi-day event, 42 nations sent more than 390 athletes and team support staff to participate. Ticket sales increased 45.6 percent compared to attendance in Prague in 2013 where the sport is far more popular. Media coverage consisted of 94 international, national and regional media outlets. Domestic broadcast outlets included Universal Sports and NBC Sports, which reported close to one million viewers, valued at more than $500,000 in comparable ad value. Accommodation revenue increased 17 percent in September 2014 compared to September 2013 and state sales tax increased seven and a half percent for the month-to-month comparison.