Eastern Shore DMOs urge restoration of tourism funding as lawmakers warn of proposed August rockfish closure

Destination marketing organizations representing Maryland’s Eastern Shore presented economic data to the Eastern Shore delegation on Feb. 27 and urged the state to restore and maintain tourism funding to preserve jobs and local tax revenue.

The pitch opened with Cassandra Van Hooser, director of economic development and tourism for Talbot County and chair of the Maryland Association of Destination Marketing Organizations, who said DMOs “put heads in beds, feed our streets, dollars and cash registers, and money back into your community.” Tom Perlazo, Ocean City’s director of tourism, told the delegation that visitor spending and event-driven visitation translate rapidly into local economic activity and jobs.

The DMOs framed tourism as a near-term, high-return investment for the state. “When we fund tourism advertising, we’re not waiting for years for construction to finish,” Van Hooser said. Perlazo cited large event figures and statewide visitation numbers to argue that tourism supports schools, public safety and other public services through tax revenue, saying the industry helped generate billions in visitor spending and produced jobs across Maryland.

Why it matters: Delegation members said tourism revenue helps pay for education, health and public safety without raising local taxes, and they asked DMOs to coordinate statewide advocacy. Senator Carrozza and others pressed DMOs to work with statewide partners — including the Maryland Tourism Coalition and industry trade groups — to protect funding and lobby against regulatory or policy changes that could reduce visitation.

A regulatory threat raised concerns: Chair Jacobs told the delegation he had learned of a proposed regulation that would shut down the Chesapeake Bay striped bass (rockfish) fishery from Aug. 1–31. “This is going to be a devastating blow” for charter boats, tackle shops and shore communities if adopted, Chair Jacobs said, citing prior catch-limit changes that already reduced charter-boat catches.

Delegation response: Lawmakers urged DMOs to partner with Watermen’s Associations and other stakeholders to press the case at the state and federal level. Cassandra Van Hooser and other DMO directors described regional marketing work — including the Chesapeake Country Scenic Byway and shared sport-event recruitment — intended to promote multi-county visits across the Eastern Shore.

What happens next: Delegates and senators said they would pursue coordinated advocacy and follow up with letters and lobby partners to try to protect both tourism dollars and the commercial/recreational fisheries that feed local economies.