Celebrating National Travel and Tourism Week

Did you know, one in ten people in the world are employed in the tourism industry? It is one of the most important industry sectors as it provides hundreds of millions of jobs and preserves cultural heritage and natural resources across the globe. As we celebrate National Travel and Tourism Week 2025, we wanted to celebrate the great impact of tourism here in Allegany County, the Mountain Side of Maryland.

Economic Impact of Tourism in Allegany County:

Tourism is the third largest industry sector in Allegany County, providing 2,900 jobs and generating $202 million in direct travel spending. What does this look like? Visitors spend $55 million on food and beverage in our local restaurants; $28 million in our downtown retail and boutique shops; $43 million in lodging at hotels, bed and breakfasts, cabins, and resorts; $27 million in recreation and entertainment; and $49 million in transportation.

Tourism Impact Infographic

Top Attractions by Visitor Volume

Rocky Gap Casino Resort

16701 Lakeview Road
(301) 784-8400

Rocky Gap Casino, Resort & Golf is located in Rocky Gap State Park near Cumberland in the heart of Allegany County. A 4-Diamond Award winner for twenty-three years and TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence-winning resort. Rocky Gap offers a casino, hotel, conference center…

Rocky Gap State Park

12900 Lake Shore Drive
(301) 722-1480

Rocky Gap State Park encompasses over 3,000 acres of public land for guests to enjoy. Rugged mountains surround the park, which also features 243-acre Lake Habeeb. The lake is fed by Rocky Gap Run, which winds through an impressive mile-long gap displaying sheer cliffs…

C&O Canal National Historical Park and Towpath

13 Canal Street

Preserving America's early transportation history, the C&O Canal began as a dream of passage to Western wealth. Operating for nearly 100 years the canal was a lifeline for communities along the Potomac River as coal, lumber, and agricultural products floated down the waterway to…

Great Allegheny Passage

P.O. Box 228

Chosen by National Geographic as one of the "Top Fall Trips In The World," the Great Allegheny Passage winds through Maryland's mountains and along Wills Creek, giving bicyclists, hikers, and cross-country skiers some of the most majestic views in the east. Linking up to the C&O…

Green Ridge State Forest

28700 Headquarters Drive NE
(301) 478-3124

Welcome to Green Ridge State Forest. At 49,000 acres, Green Ridge is the largest contiguous block of public land in Maryland. Green Ridge is located within the Ridge and Valley Province of the Appalachian Mountains. It is rich in both natural and cultural heritage and remains a…

Western Maryland Rail Trail

11741 High Germany Road
(301) 697-9617

The Western Maryland Rail Trail (WMRT) is about 28 miles long and parallels the C&O Canal Towpath for its entire length, from Little Orleans, MD, to Big Pool, MD. A paved, linear trail, it is suited to anyone seeking a pleasant, leisurely outdoor experience - walking, running…

Western Maryland Scenic Railroad

13 Canal Street
(301) 759-4400

Climb aboard the award-winning Western Maryland Scenic Railroad for an unforgettable journey through the heart of Mountain Maryland. For over 30 years, we’ve delighted families and railroad enthusiasts with scenic train rides and immersive railroad adventures. Experience the…

Tracks and Yaks

19 Depot Street

This 2-hour round trip takes you through idyllic mountain scenery, alongside a famous cycling trail, and back to the historic Frostburg train depot. The tour is not physically strenuous and it is suitable for all ages and abilities!

Dans Mountain State Park

Recreation Road

Dans Mountain State Park is a 481-acre seasonal recreational area featuring wildlife, mountain streams, scenic overlooks, and an Olympic-size heated swimming pool with accessibility options. The park includes a wading pool, bathhouse, concession stand (open Memorial Day to Labor…

Income Generation:

The benefits of tourism continue to pay it forward. Every time a visitor spends a dollar in Allegany County, tax income is generated that comes back to Allegany County to fund schools, infrastructure, and community services. In Allegany County, $50 million in direct tax income is generated annually through federal taxes, local and state taxes, and hotel/motel taxes. If tourism would ever go away, it would cost each household of Allegany County, $1,773 annually to make up the lost tax revenue.

A woman shops in a boutique that sells women apparel at Christmas time.

Quality of Life:

We like to say that tourism is the ambassador for economic development, and while we invest in tourism development from a visitor standpoint, the investments are for the benefit of the community and its quality of life. It’s the place we go to unwind in the evenings or weekends, the festival we attend with our families, or the natural and scenic landscape we seek out to unplug from the world, recharge our batteries, and explore. Investment in local tourism promotes a sense of pride and unity within the community. It provides jobs and opportunities for entrepreneurship. And ultimately, it enhances the very fabric of local lifestyle and culture.