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Early reports show the state’s tourism industry continues to grow amid the flagging economy, taking in $359 million in fiscal 2011.

That was up 5.1 percent over fiscal ’10, outpacing the 3.6 percent growth of overall sales taxes by 40 percent, according to the Bureau of Revenue Estimates.

This makes the state eligible for $3.6 million in additional marketing funds through the federal Tourism Promotion Act of 2008, which has a 3 percent growth threshold for qualifying states. This is the first year the state is eligible for the money.

The overall increase also led the state’s tourism office to honor each of its high-performing destination marketing organizations with a governor’s citation at the Maryland Tourism & Travel Summit in Adelphi on Nov. 4. The citations were given in lieu of the state’s Economic Engine award, which went to the Fell’s Point Food Festival event.

The substantial growth across the state made it difficult to choose among the organizations, said Margot Amelia, executive director of the Maryland Office of Tourism.

“The industry is getting ready to rally and push for funding,” Amelia said following the conference, which drew about 250 people.

While the state has been concentrating its marketing efforts on the nearby Washington, D.C., and Northern Virginia markets, she said, upcoming events surrounding the Civil War Sesquicentennial, Harriet Tubman Centennial and the War of 1812 Bicentennial could also reach the national market.

Amelia hopes to broaden the office’s focus this year.

“We’re getting ready for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” she said. “I think we’re going to have a great legislative session.”

Representatives of the tourism industry plan to descend on Annapolis to seek funding support on Tourism Day, Feb. 3.

Meanwhile, the 200-member Maryland Tourism Council is preparing its strategic plan, including the push for more age and ethnic diversity among its members, said David Reel, president and CEO of the group. That might mean shorter meetings or more telecommuting, he said, as the council seeks to balance the needs of its older members with the interests of the younger generation.

The council has a strategic retreat set for December. Reel has been working on the council’s strategy since taking over the position in the spring from Mary Jo McCullouch, who held the post for 25 years.

Reel also said the ongoing trend is for vacationers to find their leisure closer to home and at a lower price.

Among these options could be Six Flags America amusement park in Largo, which is preparing to open its first new ride in a decade next spring. The standup roller coaster also ties into the park’s new marketing campaign, limiting riders in the first week to those holding a season pass, said Brett Petit, Six Flags America senior vice president of marketing.

“I think we’re seeing a shift in the vacation perspective, and Maryland’s in a terrific position for that. We’re right in the middle of everything,” Petit said at the tourism conference. “I’m excited. I think the best years for tourism are yet to come.”

From 2007 to 2010, the number of visitors to Maryland grew by 5 million and the state increased its market share 16.9 percent. Maryland drew 32.2 million visitors in 2010, up 10.7 percent from 2009, according to a survey conducted by D.K. Shifflet and Associates and announced on the state’s MdBizMedia blog.

The tourism industry employs more than 134,000, according to the Maryland Tourism Development Board.

lrobbins@gazette.net