ANNAPOLIS, Md. – Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County (VAAAC) is marking National Travel & Tourism Week (May 3–9) by highlighting the essential role tourism plays in strengthening Maryland’s economy, supporting local jobs, and advancing the organization’s mission to welcome, inform, and inspire travelers. As the county enters a milestone year, VAAAC is also outlining its bold commitment to Be Revolutionary in 2026 — advancing initiatives that will reshape the visitor experience, strengthen the hospitality workforce, and elevate the destination on the national and global stage.
VIDEO: Power of Tourism in Anne Arundel County
“Every visit to Anne Arundel County does more than create a memory — it fuels jobs, supports local businesses, and strengthens our communities,” said Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County CEO Kristen Pironis. “This year, we’re choosing to ‘Be Revolutionary’ by investing in the people who power our industry, welcoming every traveler in ways that reflect our communities, and ensuring tourism delivers value for residents. Because our job isn’t just about attracting visitors — it’s about building a destination where everyone can thrive.”
Tourism remains one of Maryland’s most influential economic engines, with Anne Arundel County alone welcoming 7.2 million visitors in 2024 who generated $4.3 billion in spending — a contribution that accounts for 20 percent of all visitor spending in the state. That activity translates to $11.9 million spent every day within our county, supporting 27,258 hospitality jobs (10 percent of all county jobs), generating $1.9 billion in labor income, and contributing $460 million in state and local tax revenue that funds parks, education, public safety, and infrastructure. This impact reflects VAAAC’s mission to welcome, inform, and inspire travelers while strengthening the visitor economy for the benefit of residents, businesses, and communities. Guided by the values of inclusivity, stewardship, and audacity, Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County ensures every visitor feels represented through accessible resources, diverse storytelling, and intentional partnerships. Visitor spending fuels transportation ($2.4B), food and beverage ($625M), lodging ($480M), recreation ($430M), and retail ($335M), creating a ripple effect that sustains cultural assets, supports public services, and enhances quality of life across Anne Arundel County.
Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County’s 2026 Initiatives
In 2026, VAAAC is advancing a series of transformational initiatives designed to strengthen Maryland’s visitor economy, elevate the stories that define our destination, and prepare Anne Arundel County for a decade of unprecedented opportunity. These initiatives reflect our commitment to Be Revolutionary — investing in infrastructure, expanding global reach, celebrating our nation’s history, and supporting the workforce that powers the hospitality industry. Together, they position our county for long‑term competitiveness, community benefit, and shared prosperity.
- Be Revolutionary: America250 in Anne Arundel County
The Be Revolutionary: America250 Exploration Trail is now live across Anne Arundel County, offering a countywide visitor experience that highlights the people and places that shaped our nation. More than fifty historic, cultural, and community sites are currently sharing their revolutionary stories through custom interpretive panels and a mobile pass that encourages exploration, learning, and engagement. Active through the end of the year, the trail is driving heritage tourism, increasing visitor spending, and inspiring travelers to Be Revolutionary during this once‑in‑a‑generation milestone.
- Landing at BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport
Opening in 2026, the new VAAAC Welcome Center at BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport will greet 27 million passengers a year and connect them to experiences across Annapolis, Anne Arundel County, and the state. This investment strengthens Maryland’s tourism infrastructure and positions the center as the state’s front door and a gateway to regional economic impact.
- International Travel Investment
VAAAC is expanding Maryland’s global reach through the Maryland International Marketing Partnership, attracting high‑value international visitors who strengthen local businesses and the state’s economy. With 700,000 international travelers arriving each year and major global events ahead, Anne Arundel County is uniquely positioned to capture new demand and elevate the people, stories, and experiences that define the region.
This year’s edition features new content — including a Pride Guide, kid‑tested adventures, expanded outdoor recreation, and America250 storytelling — to help visitors discover, experience, and remember the region in meaningful ways. It remains one of our destination’s most relied‑upon travel resources, with more than 100,000 printed copies and thousands of digital views each year. The guide drives engagement, supports local businesses, and showcases the people and experiences that define Annapolis and Anne Arundel County.
- Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County Foundation
The Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County Foundation continues to strengthen the county’s hospitality workforce through education, training, and clear career pathways, including the recently launched Backstage Pass: Careers in Tourism program, which is now active and introducing youth and young adults to real opportunities in hospitality through hands‑on exposure and direct connections to local employers. Last week, the Foundation hosted its signature annual event focused on workforce development, bringing together industry and community partners to advance strategies that support a resilient, future‑ready talent pipeline. During the event, County Executive Steuart Pittman proclaimed April 28 as Anne Arundel County Travel and Tourism Day, underscoring the industry’s essential role in economic vitality and community well‑being.
As Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County looks ahead in 2026, the organization remains focused on delivering a tourism industry that is both visionary and deeply rooted in beneficial community impact. Guided by the call to Be Revolutionary, VAAAC will continue advancing initiatives that welcome every traveler, elevate the stories that shaped our nation, invest in the people who power the hospitality industry, and ensure that every visit strengthens Anne Arundel County. With major milestones on the horizon — from America’s 250th anniversary to the opening of the new Welcome Center at BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport — VAAAC is poised to lead Maryland into a new era of tourism, and it all begins with a trip.
About Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County
Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County (VAAAC) is a nonprofit, partnership-focused destination marketing and management organization dedicated to fostering a welcoming destination and promoting tourism for visitors, partners, and the community. The tourism and hospitality industry in Annapolis and Anne Arundel County significantly impacts Maryland’s economy. In 2024, visitor spending injected $4.3 billion into the state economy, attracting more than 7.2 million visitors, and sustaining more than 27,000 jobs (both directly and indirectly), according to the 2024 Economic Impact of Tourism in Maryland Report. That daily impact — an average of $11.9 million in visitor spending — strengthens small businesses, supports the hospitality workforce, and enhances quality of life for residents across the region. For more information, please visit www.VAAAC.org.
About Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County Foundation
Launched in 2023, the Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County Foundation (VAAACF) is a nonprofit charitable arm (501c3) that works to invest in and sustain the tourism and hospitality industry through mission-adjacent work. To address ongoing labor shortages, in critical, high-growth sectors that support travel and tourism – such as restaurants and lodging – the VAAACF is working with partners to strengthen workforce development and drive innovation in the hospitality industry. Through strategic collaboration and forward-thinking approaches, the Foundation aims to build a more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable hospitality workforce in Anne Arundel County, while supporting broader economic growth across Maryland.