May 17, 2013 The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch Page 29 Md. Tourism Snapshot Presented By JOANNE SHRINER STAFF WRITER OCEAN CITY – The Maryland Office of Tourism Development sat down with Ocean City tourism representatives this week to present an update of the state’s tourism current process and plans moving into the future. Maryland Office of Tourism Development (OTD) Director Margot Amelia began by explaining OTD serves as the state’s official travel marketing agency, promoting Maryland’s attractions, accommodations and services to increase visitor spending in the state. It additionally provides residents and out-of-state visitors with information and services to ensure a positive trip experience and positions Maryland as a competitive destination. The Maryland Tourism Development Board (MTDB) has oversight of the Maryland Tourism Development Fund, which is a separate fund dedicated to tourism marketing that includes $2.5 million in mandated grants to 25 destination marketing organizations. The board can generate revenue and accept federal monies, and review legislation, fees and taxes to assess the impact on the economic viability of the tourism industry. The MTDB participated in fiveyear strategic planning process, reviews and approves the Office of Tourism’s marketing and development plan and cooperate with other organizations that aids in the development and promotion of tourism. The five-year strategic plan, 2010-2015, process began in September of 2008 with the final document being approved in November 2009. It includes dramatic changes in economic climate and tourism budgets that have impacted some strategies and tactics, but the plan has been an excellent road map for success during challenging times. The board revisits the plan annually with the same facilitator. The strategic plan’s vision by 2015 is Maryland’s tourism industry, and the efforts of the OTD, shall be recognized as a vital economic engine for the state of Maryland, generating revenues, sustaining jobs, improving the state’s image and leveraging investments in Maryland’s tourism assets. OTD will pursue its mission – increasing tourism expenditures – with a focus on accountability and results. In 2011, Maryland welcomed 34.4 million visitors, which is a 6.8-percent increase from 32.3 million visits in 2010. Visitation to Maryland has increased 26.3 percent since 2007 with an additional 7.2 million visitors outperforming SEE PAGE 31 Welcome Cruisers 62 131ST STREET & COASTAL HWY. Great New Sports Bar • Happy Hour Menu ND 2 GREAT LOCATIONS STREET & COASTAL HWY. EARLY BIRD SPECIALS Starting at $ .95 Daily 4-6:30 p.m. Special J/R’s Baby Back Ribs & Crispy Fried Chicken Baby Back Rib Dinner $ 12 $ (131st Street Only) 18 .95 16 from .95 GREAT NEWS! Fabulous Crispy Fried Chicken TM Jack’s Own Recipe ... BEST IN OCEAN CITY! All You Can Eat Ribs • Shrimp • Chicken (Available At 131st Street Only.) (Available At Both Locations. Excluding Friday & Saturday At 62nd St. Location. Dining Room Only.) Dinner For Two $39.90 Fish Fry Friday Specials (Available At 131st Street Only. Dining Room Only.) Visit Us At Charliesbayside.com And Charlie’s Bay Side On Facebook Village Of Fenwick-Route 1 And Maryland Ave., Fenwick Island, Del. ENJOY THE MUSIC OF BOB HUGHES ~ FRI., MAY 17 • 6 P.M. ENJOY HOWARD ON THE PIANO ~ SAT., MAY 18 • 5 P.M. 131ST ST. & COASTAL HWY. OPEN MON.-SAT. 4 P .M. • SUN. 3:30 P .M 410-250-3100 • CARRY-OUT 410-250-3131 COLD BEER • BAGS OF ICE 302-539-3526 Kids’ Menu WATERFRONT DECK DI N ING SERVING LUNCH AND DINNER Open Every Day Monday-Fri day 4 p.m. Saturday 9 p.m.: 62ND ST. & COASTAL HWY. OPEN DAILY AT 4 P .M. 410-524-7427 • CARRY-OUT 410-524-7430 Saturday-Sunday Noon Z i on Reggae Band Looking To Build Your DREAM HOME? ✔✎✞✍✗✒✜¤❀s❘❉x❖¤✠✎✔✔✡❜¤✌✕✡✟✎✆✒✌¤✎✔✟✒✘✠✎✔✞ Parmesan Grouper, 12-oz. Rib Eye, Twin Petite Crab Cakes, Crab Imperial, Fried Flounder, Fried Oysters And Shrimp Sampler This unique 14 acre secluded property located in Berlin has everything in place (including permits and approval from planning and zoning) to build your dream home. Septic and well are installed and plans have been approved. State of the art outbuilding already in place and has 8” concrete slab with 5 zones of Pex tubing heat pipes, 2x6 walls and beautiful cedar siding. Two 10x10 insulated garage doors with 12’ ceiling in building and the list goes on. $285,000 Call today to make your appointment. Michael Moore • 410-726-8829 m.moore@kw.com Keller Williams Realty 1409 South Salisbury Boulevard Salisbury MD 21804 410-677-0909 www.mooreontheshore.com ☛❜✡✌✍¤☛✎✌✍❆¤✟❜✆✝¤✠✎✌✍✡✌❆¤✌✗✡✆✑✌¤✆✔✠¤✕❜✎✡¤❜✎✝