Baltimore Checkbook: Baltimore drew more than 26 million visitors in 2017. Tourism leaders say the city needs two things to grow that number.

Tuesday, September 25, 2018

Baltimore drew more than 26 million visitors in 2017. Tourism leaders say the city needs two things to grow that number.

As Baltimore marks a slight year-over-year increase in visitors, local leaders and tourism officials say an expanded convention center and more funding dedicated to promoting the city are crucial to boosting growth. The city saw 26.2 million visitors in 2017, a 1.2 percent increase over the year before, according to an annual report released Tuesday by Visit Baltimore. The visits generated $5.7 billion in direct spending, yielding $717 million in city and state tax revenues and sustaining more than…