Visit Frederick Celebrates 50 Years of Growth and Milestones in Tourism

Celebrating 50 Years of Visit Frederick

On October 15, 2026, Visit Frederick marked a significant milestone—its 50th anniversary—during an annual meeting held at Musket Ridge Golf Club in Myersville. The event served not only as a commemorative celebration but also as an opportunity to reflect on the tremendous growth and achievements of the organization's dedication to promoting Frederick County as a premier travel destination.

Executive Director Dave Ziedelis took center stage to announce remarkable statistics, emphasizing that visitors spent a record $590 million in Frederick County in 2025—a 4.6% increase compared to the previous year. This growth is particularly noteworthy considering that statewide visitor spending saw a marginal decline of 0.05% over the same period. Furthermore, this achievement marks the fourth consecutive year that visitor spending in the county has exceeded the $500 million mark, illustrating the resilience and appeal of the region post-pandemic.

According to insights from Tourism Economics, approximately 2.2 million visitors explored Frederick County in 2025, reflecting a robust 5.1% surge from 2024 and outpacing statewide visitation growth of 3.6%. Notably, this marked the fifth successive year of visitation growth since the pandemic, showcasing the county's ongoing allure. The visitor numbers included 776,500 overnight guests and 1.4 million day-trippers, demonstrating the diverse appeal of the area to different types of travelers.

The hotel rental tax revenue for Frederick County reached an unprecedented $73.5 million in fiscal year 2026, marking a 12% increase over the previous year. This achievement not only reflects the growth of the tourism sector but also represents the fourth time in the county's history that hotel tax revenues have exceeded $60 million. Such revenue, derived from overnight stays, supports various initiatives, including product marketing and grants for local nonprofits and Main Streets, fostering community development.

Visitor spending positively influenced the local economy, sustaining over 6,367 jobs, which accounts for 5.8% of the county's total employment. Local dining establishments and craft beverage businesses received approximately $181 million from visitors, while recreational activities and retail shops garnered $85 million and $71 million, respectively.

Frederick County has consistently outperformed statewide trends concerning tourism-related tax revenue and employment growth. While statewide tourism tax revenue witnessed a decrease of 0.3%, the county's tourism-generated tax revenue surged by 6.6%. Additionally, direct tourism employment in the county rose by an impressive 7.1%, a stark contrast to a statewide decline of 1.8%. Since the inception of the hotel rental tax in 2003, visitors have generated over $8.7 billion in spending, further cementing the vital role that tourism plays in the local economy.

Reflecting on this milestone, Executive Director Dave Ziedelis remarked, “Fifty years ago, a group of business leaders and community visionaries believed Frederick County possessed a story worth sharing. Last year, that story attracted over 2.2 million visitors, resulting in record spending of $590 million. These astounding outcomes are a testament to our partners—small businesses, Main Streets, and various hospitality entities that warmly welcome visitors every day.”

Founded in 1976, the year of America’s bicentennial, Visit Frederick began its journey as the Tourism Council of Frederick County, evolving from the local Chamber of Commerce. As it gears up for another 50 years, the organization introduced a comprehensive 2026-2031 Strategic Plan, which outlines priorities in marketing, product development, and partnership growth. This strategic roadmap is available for review at visitfrederick.org/about-us/strategic-plan-26.

During the anniversary meeting, Visit Frederick reported its contributions to the community over the past year. These included the distribution of nearly $1 million through various countywide programs: over $337,000 through the Tourism Reinvestment in Promotion Product (TRIPP) program, more than $343,000 to the four designated Main Streets via the Main Street Communities Cooperative Program, and $318,000 allocated through the Destination Development Fund. Collectively, these programs have invested approximately $9.7 million into Frederick County communities.

In fiscal year 2026, the Frederick Visitor Center experienced a significant uptick in activity, welcoming 19,190 walk-in visitors and logging 18,684 interactions—an increase of 16% from FY25. Additionally, the center facilitated the activation of 4,457 Downtown Frederick gift cards, totaling $330,980 in sales. Notable visitor origins outside Maryland included Virginia, Pennsylvania, Washington, D.C., Florida, and New Jersey, while international visitors predominantly came from Germany, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, and Australia.

Throughout FY26, Visit Frederick welcomed 25 new partner members, upping its total membership to more than 400 across Frederick County, showcasing the growing collaborative spirit amongst local enterprises.

Recognizing excellence and dedication within the local tourism sector, the annual meeting bestowed the title of Tourism Ambassador of the Year upon Rose Chaney for her longstanding service with the African American Resources, Cultural, and Heritage Society of Frederick County (AARCH Society). Additionally, Brewer's Alley, a staple of Downtown Frederick's dining landscape, received accolades for Top Visitor Guide Distribution for the second consecutive year.

Highlighting its influence beyond county borders, Visit Frederick also earned prestigious accolades in FY26, including the 2025 Best Digital Campaign Award from the Maryland Tourism Coalition for the collaborative initiative titled Let's Go CO, which involved efforts from regional partners such as Visit Montgomery and others.

As the recognized Destination Marketing Organization for the City of Frederick and Frederick County, Maryland, Visit Frederick is committed to fostering the region's history, culture, and hospitality. To learn more about their offerings, visit www.visitfrederick.org or contact them at 301-600-4047.