Lodging properties can join by completing a voluntary, self-certification process. Once certified, the properties are included in both the tourism office's web site and the state's Green Registry. The program is an extension of Gov. Martin O'Malley's Smart, Green and Growing initiative.

“Many of the practical measures that lodging properties use to align themselves with environmental sustainability and energy efficiency also result in significant cost savings,” said Margot Amelia, executive director of the Office of Tourism. “And, more and more consumers are looking for travel experiences that are consistent with eco-friendly practices.”

Maryland Green Travel guidelines use parameters developed by the Maryland Hotel and Lodging Association, which reflect American Hotel & Lodging Association standards for "going green." Check the Maryland Green Travel web site for more information, or call or e-mail Catherine Batavick , 410-767-6342.

HUD looks to arts sector for community development
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is seeking proposals from arts organizations and the creative sector for two grant programs linked to community development. It’s the first time that HUD is targeting participation from the arts sector for funding opportunities on a national level.

“The arts are a natural component to furthering this administration’s commitment to creating more livable, walkable, environmentally sustainable communities,” said HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan.

HUD’s Sustainable Communities Regional Planning Grant Program offers $100 million in grants. HUD has also joined the U.S. Department of Transportation to offer $75 million in grants through the Sustainable Communities Challenge Grant Program.

“The arts are creative placemakers,” said Rocco Landesman, chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts. “We are able to work alongside federal agencies like HUD to help create places where people want to live, work and play, both today and in the future.”

Maritime Heritage Conference returns to Baltimore
Maritime heritage enthusiasts, scholars, and members of maritime heritage and preservation groups will gather in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor at the Hyatt Regency, Sept. 15-19, for the National Maritime Historical Society’s 2010 conference. Event organizers expect 350 people to attend and account for more than 700 room nights.

Held every three years, the conference features such speakers as: David Rockefeller Jr., president, Sailors for the Seas; Jose Fuentes, chairman, OPSAIL; and Admiral John C. Harvey Jr., commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command. Harvey will discuss the significance of upcoming celebrations for the War of 1812 bicentennial.

“The Maritime Heritage Conference originated in Baltimore in 1977 and the first four gatherings were held here,” said Christopher Rowsom, executive director of Historic Ships in Baltimore. “It is great to have the conference back in town and an honor for Historic Ships to be hosting along with our local and regional partners.”

Several other maritime organizational forums will run concurrently with the conference, including the annual meeting of the Historic Naval Ships Association.

Use CRUSA to reach travelers from overseas
Opportunities to reach international travel markets are now available through Capital Region USA (CRUSA) cooperative marketing programs. CRUSA – a marketing collaborative established by the official tourism agencies for Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C. – offers a variety of programs, such as: web-based promotions; tour-operator promotions; travel shows; and FAM tours.

In 2009, a record 1.85 million overseas visitors came to the Capital Region, according to CRUSA. Visitors stayed an average of eight nights and spent a record $1.3 billion on hotels, meals, shopping, attractions, and other goods and services in the region.

CRUSA’s primary markets are the United Kingdom and Germany. Other markets include: France, Belgium, The Netherlands, Mexico and Brazil. CRUSA has also targeted Korea and China as emerging markets.

Reserve advertising space in Destination Maryland
Published yearly, Destination Maryland includes itineraries, detailed listings and overall descriptions of attractions, accommodations, restaurants and outdoor activities in Maryland’s five regions. This four-color, magazine-style book is Maryland’s official travel guide.

A Maryland Travel Passport, which provides visitors with savings of up to $3,500, is included in the book. Call or e-mail Randel McDowell, 443-909-7859, for information. The deadline for reserving space and non-camera-ready artwork is Sept. 21.

If you are a new attraction, accommodation or service that has opened during the past year, please contact Kat Evans for an application.

Job growth in Maryland's leisure and hospitality sector continues
The latest issue of the Maryland Tourism Monitor – the Tourism Office's monthly report that measures visitor activity, advertising response and trends in state travel – is available online.

Among its findings for June: Maryland’s leisure and hospitality sector continued to gain jobs for the fourth month in a row. The sector added 16,200 new jobs at a rate of 7 percent growth in June. Additionally, transportation tallies for the fiscal year reflected increased travel compared to last year. Amtrak non-commuter ridership was up 1 percent and BWI arrivals were up 6 percent.