Report released by Maryland Office of Tourism by Tourism Economics shows Allegany County top county in state tourism growth in 2014.

While tourism growth statewide slowed in 2014, Allegany County saw an increase.

As reported in The Cumberland Times-News:

As for overall contribution to the Maryland tax base, the Allegany County tourism industry in 2014 generated an increase in growth of 10.1 percent over 2013. That growth rate was tops among Maryland’s 23 counties and Baltimore City.

“No county in the state has grown as much as Allegany County,” said Dave Williams, director of destinations marketing for McClarran & Williams Inc.

In second place was Calvert County with 7.1 percent growth, followed by Cecil County with 6.5 percent. Garrett County placed 11th with 2.5 percent overall growth in 2014.

Williams said finishing the Great Allegheny Passage, which links to the C&O Canal Towpath, was an enormous positive.

…

“We reoriented our advertising to those interested in outdoor recreation and we used social media like Facebook. We got away from banner ads,” said Williams. “We looked for specific targets. We focused on the audience who is two hours away.”

For more information read the full article in The Cumberland Times-News.