Destination Maryland Magazine’ is your best resource
BALTIMORE, MD – National Plan for Vacation Day is January 31, and it is the perfect time to plan your Maryland vacation. The Maryland Department of Commerce’s Office of Tourism has easy to use tools to help travelers discover the state’s many attractions, scenic byways, outdoor recreational opportunities, and more, starting with the 2023 edition of Destination Maryland Magazine.
“Maryland leads the way as one of America’s most exciting, diverse and welcoming destinations, creating lasting memories and authentic experiences for visitors worldwide to enjoy while simultaneously contributing millions of dollars to our state’s economic well being,” said Acting Maryland Commerce Secretary Signe Pringle. “I encourage everyone to participate in the National Plan for Vacation Day by choosing Maryland for their next vacation destination.”
Resources for planning include:
- Destination Maryland Magazine, a 144-page full-color magazine with state and national scenic byway themed suggestions as well as regional listings of museums, attractions, history & heritage sites, arts & culture, and outdoor recreation. Readers will find many new features in this year’s issue, including QR codes linking to more in-depth online content.
- Maryland’s social media platforms are a timely way to learn more about unique destinations, anniversaries, special events, Maryland culinary specialties (including Smith Island Cake which celebrates its 15th anniversary this year of being designated Maryland’s Official State Dessert) and connect users with other Maryland travel fans. Find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterestand YouTube. Share your images with us using #MDinFocus for an opportunity to see your pictures printed in the 2024 edition of Destination Maryland Magazine.
- Maryland Welcome Centers, which are conveniently located along major highways throughout the state, offer a wide array of printed brochures and guides produced by the state, county/city tourism offices, and local tourism business. Additionally, knowledgeable travel counselors are available to provide personalized assistance.
“Readers of Destination Maryland Magazine will be treated to travel themes supported through consumer research, which showcases Maryland’s “Big Five” marketing platforms: The Most Powerful Underground Railroad Storytelling Destination in the World; The Great Chesapeake Bay Loop and Chesapeake Bay Storytellers program; our Trail System Second-to-None; the Open Roads Scenic Byways program; and Fish & Hunt Maryland.” said Liz Fitsimmons, managing director of the Maryland Office of Tourism. “The magazine features compelling imagery and inside information on those travel partners who are waiting to welcome readers of the guide while on their next trip to Maryland.”
Production of Destination Maryland Magazine is underwritten by advertising, and Fitzsimmons also notes that tourism industry advertising sponsorships in the 2023 edition reached the highest levels to date.
Additionally, for the first time in the magazine’s history, there are two different nighttime cover images – an image of Baltimore’s Washington Monument on the Charles Street National Scenic Byway and an image of the Choptank Lighthouse located on Cambridge’s waterfront in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
Join Americans nationwide on January 31st and start planning your Maryland vacation. Order your free 2023 Destination Maryland Magazine via www.visitmaryland.org or call 1-800-719-5900.
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About Maryland Tourism
The Maryland Office of Tourism is an agency within the Maryland Department of Commerce. Visitors to the state spent $16.4 billion on travel-related expenses in 2021. The Maryland tourism industry also generated $2.1 billion in state and local taxes, essentially saving each Maryland household $923 in annual taxes, and directly supported Marylanders with nearly 113,000 jobs. For more information, go to www.visitmaryland.org.
About National Plan for Vacation Day
Sponsored by the U.S. Travel Association, National Plan for Vacation Day is celebrated annually on the last Tuesday in January. This national day encourages Americans to plan their vacation days for the whole year at the start of the year. NPVD highlights the importance of taking time off to travel—both for personal wellbeing and for the overall economic prosperity of our nation. www.ustravel.org
