January 14th, 2020 by WCBC Radio
The first quarter of the Fiscal Year 2020 (July 1, 2019 – June 30, 2020) has been a successful start for the tourism industry in Allegany County, Maryland. According to the Comptroller Office's Industry, County, and Tourism Sales and Use Taxes reports, Allegany County grew 6.3% in tourism sales tax revenues.
“Allegany County had the largest growth in the Western region, and was among the top 10 out of 24 jurisdictions in the state, for tourism sales tax performance,” stated Ashli Workman, Director of Tourism for Allegany County, the Mountain Side of Maryland.
According to the report, Allegany County grew lodging sales tax collections by 5.3% and restaurant sales tax collections by 4.9%. The successful growth of the tourism industry is also being measured at the state level with the Maryland Office of Tourism reporting a 6.5% growth for quarter one in tourism sales tax revenues, growth in lodging sales tax collections of 8%, and growth in restaurant sales tax collections of 5.4%.
“Our office credits the success to our great working relationship with area attractions and lodging partners,” said Workman. “We are also proud of our aggressive marketing plan and strategies that reflect our office’s mission and objectives – promoting destination awareness, attracting visitors from 50+ miles and beyond, and encouraging visitors to stay overnight and spend more money in our county.”
Allegany County Tourism is the official Destination Marketing Office (DMO) for Allegany County, Maryland. The office promotes an authentic and memorable visitor experience through outdoor recreation, history and heritage, arts and culture, and natural scenic beauty.
January 14, 2020 at 5:03 pm, Kevin said:
Wow. Who needs a railroad or paper mill? Think how well the gas and go places are doing! No wonder sheetz can sell hot dogs 2/99. #MAGA
January 14, 2020 at 6:11 pm, LRH said:
Finally seeing results from our City PR hire.
January 14, 2020 at 6:40 pm, Steve said:
Yes Kevin, however we pay about .25 cents more per gallon for gas @ Sheetz than most places in this state & the United States, which means ALL other stations follow suit. Bend Over
January 14, 2020 at 9:35 pm, Linmarie said:
Each state gets their money one way or the other. They have too. More people drive do MD decided to tax the gas. For example in VA gas is lower, but they pay Personal property tax on each vehicle. So in VA people drive older cars.
January 15, 2020 at 3:41 pm, Paolo Primavera said:
Allegany County is NOT like Hawaii, Jamaica, or any other tourist destination. We are just some everyday people, wanting to work (If there is a place to be employed) to support of families and live peacefully in harmony with our beautiful location. We don’t need outsiders bringing drugs, death and destruction to our little piece of nature here in Western Maryland.
We as Americans, Marylanders, and residents of Allegany County NEED tax money to keep us in the manner we have become accustomed. Actually we might need to trim some of the wasted money spent on frivolous things and ideas.
We don’t want or need a bombardment of tourists to upset the balance of the nature that Allegany County has and wants to keep for our children. My parents told us growing up “The key to success is Everything in Moderation.” So simply said!