top of page
Tourism Works for Maryland
ADVOCACY
THE TOURISM PROMOTION ACT OF 2008 & THE DESTINATION MARKETING ORGANIZATION GRANT PROGRAM
In 2008, the Senate Bill 458 - Tourism Promotion Act formally required the Maryland Tourism Development Board (MTDB) to provide:
-
Financial assistance to the Office of Tourism Development (OTD). Funding to OTD can not be less than $6 million each fiscal year. The act includes a formula-based incremental increase provision that has never been used.
-
Grants to destination marketing organizations (DMOs). Since 2011, these grants have been not less than $2.5 million.
The Tourism Promotion Act allowed for the development of a comprehensive, integrated marketing strategy to INCREASE overnight stays, SUPPORT jobs, and GENERATE state and local taxes.
bottom of page