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Tourism, conference turnout surpass Visit Baltimore’s FY21 goals
Tourism in Baltimore had a stronger-than-anticipated year, surpassing goals for hotel occupancy and conferences that Visit Baltimore, the city’s tourism bureau, set just a few months into the pandemic. While the statistics pale compared to the numbers reported prior to the pandemic, they nonetheless reflect an uptick in one of Baltimore’s vital economic activities. According […]
Off the Record with Sloane Brown: Al Hutchinson, Visit Baltimore
Visit Baltimore’s president and CEO Al Hutchinson joins Sloane Brown to talk about the confluence of the COVID-19 pandemic and the social justice movement.
Baltimore tourism increased last year despite challenges
Baltimore welcomed more visitors who spent more money last year than the year before, Visit Baltimore President and CEO Al Hutchinson said at the tourism agency’s annual meeting Tuesday at the Hilton Baltimore Inner Harbor Hotel. In 2016, the city welcomed 25.9 million visitors who spent $5.6 billion, according to Visit Baltimore’s annual report. In […]
Despite on-field successes, Orioles attendance continues to fall
With three playoff berths and the most wins in the American League, the Baltimore Orioles have been one of the most successful teams in baseball over the last five years. But their attendance has moved in the opposite direction and has declined since the team was swept in the 2014 American League Championship Series by […]
Conference relocates to Baltimore from Charlotte to protest HB2
In response to the North Carolina state legislature’s failure to repeal House Bill 2, a law that limits protections for LGBT people in the state, a professional organization for business historians is moving its 2018 annual meeting from Charlotte to Baltimore. “We have been discussing this issue with the H.B. 2 bill in Charlotte for […]
Hotel occupancy numbers promising for Baltimore tourism
With hotel occupancy up 4 percent in September over last year, officials are optimistic that the city’s tourism industry is improving. Baltimore’s tourism industry took a hit after the riots following Freddie Gray’s death in April 2015. Officials reported a 5 to 7 percent decrease in hotel occupancy, while attendance at museums, restaurants and other […]
Visit Baltimore names new president and CEO
The city’s tourism marketing arm, Visit Baltimore, has named Al Hutchinson its new president & CEO. Hutchinson was most recently president & CEO of Visit Mobile. The city saw record visitor attendance, launched a new brand campaign and increased the city’s hotel occupancy rate under his leadership, Visit Baltimore said. Hutchinson will assume the position […]
Noonan leaving Visit Baltimore, taking job in Austin
Tom Noonan, president and CEO of Visit Baltimore, the city’s tourism marketing arm, has resigned to take a position as president and CEO of the Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau, effective May 6, Visit Baltimore announced Wednesday. The move will mark Noonan’s return to his professional roots in Texas, where he spent 18 years with […]
Light City festival: High risk, with potential for high reward
When Brooke Hall and Justin Allen came up with the idea for Light City, they were looking for a way to showcase Baltimore’s creative talent and innovative spirit. But after the year the city’s had, the local business and tourism community is hoping the event will also change the conversation about Baltimore. Hall and Allen, […]
Visit Baltimore: Tourism won’t be affected by police trials
Even though the trials for the six officers charged in the death of Freddie Gray have led to an increased police presence around Baltimore, officials don’t expect the trials to hurt the city’s tourism industry. “Since the trials are currently scheduled during our non-peak tourism season, and the response has been peaceful in nature, we […]
Tourism officials: Baltimore’s perception better nationally
While Baltimore’s image has improved nationally, the city’s perception within the immediate metro area has yet to rise to pre-Freddie Gray levels, tourism officials said Monday. The National Aquarium, for example, has seen a 7 percent decrease in attendance since the protests and riots erupted in across the city in April following the death of […]
Visit Baltimore wants businesses to keep events local
In an attempt to save Baltimore’s tourism and hospitality industry and the tens of thousands of people it employs, Visit Baltimore is making a request to residents and businesses: Stay local. The city’s official sales and marketing arm announced Monday that it’s re-launching its “Meet Local” campaign to encourage area residents and businesses to hold […]
