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Visit Frederick Launches Strategic Plan for 2026-2031

In a significant move to boost tourism while enhancing the quality of life for residents, Visit Frederick has unveiled its Strategic Plan for 2026-2031, outlining a robust five-year roadmap for sustainable tourism growth.

A Clear Vision for Tourism Development

The newly adopted plan serves as a guiding framework aimed at strengthening the visitor economy in Frederick County. With tourism acting as a crucial pillar supporting thousands of jobs and local businesses, as well as generating over $500 million in annual spending, the strategy is poised to maximize these benefits while ensuring that local communities feel the positive impacts of tourism.

"Tourism is one of Frederick County's quiet successes," remarked Dave Ziedelis, Executive Director of Visit Frederick. This plan is essential not just for economic growth but also for maintaining the quality of life that makes the area an attractive place for residents and visitors alike.

Engaging with the Community

The process of developing this strategic plan involved extensive consultations with local residents, leaders, and tourism stakeholders. Over an eight-month period, methods such as surveys, interviews, and public listening sessions were employed to construct a shared vision. This feedback has been invaluable in shaping the priorities outlined in the plan, ensuring they reflect community values and desired outcomes.

Core Imperatives of the Plan

The Strategic Plan is centered around four main imperatives:
1. Increasing Visitor Spending: Attracting more visitors and encouraging longer stays.
2. Building Positive Community Sentiment: Promoting positive perceptions of tourism among residents.
3. Enhancing Organizational Capacity: Strengthening Visit Frederick's abilities to manage tourism growth effectively.
4. Destination Stewardship: Ensuring that tourism development aligns with local interests and enhances historic preservation, infrastructure, and natural resources.

This multi-faceted approach recognizes the changing landscape of tourism in Frederick County while addressing the opportunities that new residents and businesses present to the area.

Sustainability and Growth

A critical focus of the plan is the balance between tourism growth and community sustainability. Visit Frederick aims to collaborate closely with municipalities, Main Street organizations, and local businesses to tailor tourism promotions to meet community needs. The goal is to develop a tourism ecosystem that not only supports the economy but also respects and enhances the local environment and quality of life.

Ziedelis further emphasized the need for mindful growth: "This strategy helps us navigate that growth thoughtfully, so tourism strengthens our communities instead of overwhelming them."

Immediate Implementation

Visit Frederick's 2026–2031 Strategic Plan is now available in both a detailed booklet and a concise one-page summary at the organization’s official website, visitfrederick.org. The implementation of this plan is set to start immediately, guiding various aspects of marketing, community engagement, and investment decisions.

In addition, to facilitate further community involvement, a public meeting will occur on February 4 at 10 AM at the Frederick Visitor Center. All interested residents, partners, and stakeholders are encouraged to attend and provide feedback on how the plan will shape tourism in Frederick County.

Visit Frederick continues to strengthen both the economic vitality of the area and community pride. As the designated Destination Marketing Organization for Frederick City and Frederick County, they are committed to fostering tourism that enhances the quality of life for residents and visitors alike.