Jul 20, 2008 4:39 pm US/Eastern
Baltimore Getting More Visitors Than Ever
BALTIMORE (WJZ) ―
Despite talk of a recession, Baltimore chalked up some good news this week. As
Mike Schuh reports, the number of people booked to come to town for business or pleasure has risen dramatically.
Baltimore has what out-of-towners need: a touristy Inner Harbor and much of what they need is within walking distance.
"The downtown area's so built up," said Brandon McNamara.
After a recent downturn, 70,000 more hotel rooms are booked this year compared to last.
New hotel rooms have been constructed and their location downtown has led to more conventions.
"I think it's the fact that we have a convention hotel connected to the convention center," said Mayor Sheila Dixon.
The city says its investment is paying off.
"The momentum is really building on what we set out to do," she said.
The convention bureau says a larger sales staff and a bigger trade show presence has helped to put people on our streets and in our businesses and hotels.
This 18% jump comes on the heels of an eight percent increase last year.
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