Baltimore, MD (September 10, 2008) – Governor Martin O’Malley today announced the launch of the Maryland Office of Tourism’s enhanced web site, www.visitmaryland.org. A key recommendation of the O’Malley-Brown Transition Report, the site was redesigned to offer consumers more aesthetically appealing and emotive imagery, sharper graphics and enhanced search capabilities.
“Tourism contributes significantly to Maryland’s economy – supporting families, creating jobs and small businesses. It is essential that Maryland’s tourism marketing, especially our web presence, is compelling, competitive and creative,” said Governor O’Malley. “With the enhanced web site, and our continued outreach to local and regional visitors, the Office of Tourism is continuing its mission of increasing visitor expenditures in Maryland.”
During the design phase, focus groups were held with prospective travelers in the key feeder markets of Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., and Baltimore. Input from the focus groups helped drive the new site’s design and layout. In addition, the new Microsoft MOSS software platform will allow county tourism partners to independently update pertinent sections of the web site.
“The new tourism web site was developed with learning from consumer focus groups, and was designed to give the traveling public exactly what it wants – better graphics, more search capabilities and intuitive navigation,” said Margot Amelia, Executive Director for the Office of Tourism. “With the majority of travelers planning their trips on the web, these enhancements are the backbone of an integrated plan to position Maryland as a key travel destination.”
The most recent edition of the YPB&R/Yankelovich National Travel Monitor, widely regarded as one of the most accurate barometers of travel habits and intentions, reported that 66 percent of all travelers use the Internet to plan some aspect of their trip.
During 2006, the latest data available, the Maryland tourism industry generated more than $895 million in state and local taxes and provided more than 116,000 jobs to Maryland residents. The Maryland Office of Tourism is an agency of the Division of Tourism, Film and the Arts within the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development (DBED).
