Visits to Maryland increased in 2009

Maryland was one of five states nationwide that saw their number of visitors rise in 2009, according to figures released Tuesday by the Maryland Office of Tourism, The Baltimore Sun reports.

The report by D.K. Shifflet & Associates of McLean, Va., showed that Baltimore had 29 million visitors last year, 1 million more than in 2008, an increase of 3.5 percent. Nationwide, Shifflet reported, the number of visitors dropped 5.5 percent.

Leisure trips to Maryland — those not related to business meetings or conventions — were up 5.2 percent, while the United States as a whole saw a 3.3 percent decrease. Business trips to Maryland were down 1.5 percent last year. Nationwide, such trips were down 12 percent.

Both day and overnight trips to Maryland were up last year compared with national declines. The study defined a visitor as someone who travels 50 miles or more to a destination.