Tourism in Maryland is Back to Pre-Pandemic Levels

Tourism is thriving in Maryland, back to pre-pandemic levels.

Tourism increased greatly in 2022, according to new data from the Maryland Department of Commerce’s Office of Tourism. The Department’s 2022 Economic Impact of Tourism report (released October 2023) describes Maryland’s strong state of tourism.

More than 43.5 million people visited the state in 2022, spending $19.4 billion — 18.4 percent more than visitors spent in 2021. Last year’s tourist spending also topped 2019 pre-pandemic levels by more than $1 billion. Additionally, 187,296 jobs were created in the industry in 2022. The industry generated $9.7 billion in labor income in 2022.

Tourism spending in Maryland in 2021 generated $2.3 billion in state and local taxes in 2022. The bulk of visitor spending was related to transportation and food and beverage services.

The Department’s report reads:

Overall, traveler demand reached $20.8 billion in 2022. Of all categories, domestic traveler spending dominated, bringing in $18.7 billion. Capital investment in support of tourism grew to $1 billion in 2022, an increase of 14%.

The bulk of demand was in the domestic traveler category at 90.2 percent of total demand.

Liz Fitzsimmons, managing director of the Maryland Office of Tourism, remarked on the state’s recovery:

‘Our office has focused its efforts on marketing and promoting the things that make Maryland unique, such as the Most Powerful Underground Railroad Storytelling Destination in the World; the Chesapeake Bay; Fish and Hunt Maryland; our Trail System Second-to-None; and our Scenic Byways. These assets have helped us continue to deliver a $30 to $1 return on the state’s advertising efforts.’

Read the full report.

At the MACo Winter Conference session, “Double-Edged Sword: Do Short-Term Stays Have Long-Term Benefits? ” county and state leaders will examine the challenges and opportunities of short-term rentals for Maryland’s tourism, economic development, and housing.

Learn more about MACo’s Winter Conference: