* WARNING: THIS IS AN UNOFFICIAL, INTRODUCTORY COPY OF THE BILL.
THE OFFICIAL COPY CONSIDERED BY THE CITY COUNCIL IS THE FIRST READER COPY.
INTRODUCTORY*
CITY OF BALTIMORE
COUNCIL BILL R
(Resolution)
Introduced by: Councilmember Welch
A RESOLUTION ENTITLED
A COUNCIL RESOLUTION concerning
title
Baltimore - Vacation at Home!
FOR the purpose of requesting the President and Members of Visit Baltimore to plan and implement a Vacation at Home! campaign to encourage Baltimore City residents to visit the many attractions that make Baltimore City a popular tourist destination and urging Visit Baltimore member organizations to develop a reduced admission program to facilitate local patronage.
body
Recitals
In announcing its new name, Visit Baltimore reported that Baltimore has increased sales bookings for 5 consecutive years, that marketing efforts have generated 3,000 followers on Twitter, that there were 730 new Certified Tourism Ambassadors to assist visitors in enhancing their trip to our city, and that an "Expect the Unexpected" campaign has been launched in new geographic markets to expand the reach of Baltimore's tourism market.
The name change makes it easier for potential travelers to find the organization, formerly known as BACVA, and reflects the association's role as the official sales and marketing organization that generates economic benefits for stakeholders through the attraction of convention, group, and leisure visitors. The association is largely responsible for growing a $3 billion tourism industry in Baltimore.
The official Baltimore City government website invites visitors "to explore Baltimore, a vibrant city on the water where you will find something new around every corner. This is a city that is growing and evolving with new hotels and new and exciting attractions. Whether you live in the area or are planning a visit, this is a destination filled with surprises and hidden treasures just waiting to be discovered."
Unfortunately the hard economic times make it unlikely that many residents of the City and State will be able to accept invitations to visit Baltimore's many "tourist" attractions. Recent Labor Day celebrations were dampened by reports from the Labor Department that long-term joblessness rates had reached an all-time high - the number of people out of work at least 6 months has doubled in the past year to 5 million.
This summer, Maryland's unemployment rate topped 7% , reaching a more than 25-year high. Maryland's unemployment rate had not been 7.2% or higher since July 1983. During the 12 months through May 2009, Maryland lost 65,000 jobs. Among those without jobs were hundreds of Baltimore area residents who lost employment at a major home-repair chain, a mail service provider, and a flavorings company that shut down plants or closed stores.
Despite predictions that the recession is on the wan, Congress is considering emergency legislation to help millions of Americans who see no immediate relief from fiscal woes. The bill, that is expected to easily pass, would provide 13 weeks of additional benefits for more than 300,000 jobless people who live in states with unemployment rates of at least 8.5% who are scheduled to run out of benefits by the end of September. Because Maryland's unemployment rate is 7.2% unemployed people in our City will not receive this relief.
All Baltimore residents should be able to enjoy the attractions of their City that plays gracious host to millions from all over the nation and the world. The members of Visit Baltimore can ensure that these hard working people are aware of the many and varied attractions of their hometown and that they are, indeed, able to "vacation at home".
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF BALTIMORE, That the President and Members of Visit Baltimore are requested to plan and implement a Vacation at Home! campaign to encourage Baltimore City residents to visit the many attractions that make Baltimore City a popular tourist destination, and Visit Baltimore member organizations are urged to develop a reduced admission program to facilitate local patronage.
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be sent to the Mayor, the President and Members of Visit Baltimore, and the Mayor's Legislative Liaison to the City Council.
dlr 09-0845~intro/30Sep09
ccres/Vacastion/nf
dlr 09-0845~intro/30Sep09
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ccres/Vacastion/nf