MCHENRY — Garrett County had the highest accommodations sales collections ever recorded during fiscal 2013, which ended June 30, according to the Garrett County Chamber of Commerce. Revenue was up 4 percent compared to the previous year.

The July and August figures for this fiscal year have increased 3 percent over last year. The 2013 Heads on Beds tallies are up 15 percent over 2012. Through September 2013, the Comptroller’s Office of Maryland reports a 10.9 percent increase in Garrett County sales tax collections.

Visits to the chamber of commerce website, visitdeepcreek.com, have increased 30 percent over 2012.

According to the Maryland Office of Tourism, Garrett County saw a 6.3 percent increase in fiscal 2013 tourism sales tax revenues, the highest increase in the state by a county not operating a casino. Overall, Maryland saw a less than 1 percent increase in tourism sales tax revenues.

“Due to our aggressive marketing strategies, we have seen record accommodations sales in fiscal years 2010 to 2013,” said Nicole Christian, president/CEO of the chamber. “We’ve taken advantage of some new advertising opportunities and really concentrated our marketing and advertising efforts in our target markets. We are pleased our new ad buys have really paid off.”

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