Plan a Future Maryland Vacation on National Plan for Vacation Day

BALTIMORE, MD (January 25, 2021) – National Plan for Vacation Day is January 26 and it is the perfect time to begin planning a future Maryland vacation. The Maryland Department of Commerce’s Office of Tourism has just the right tools to help travelers uncover the many sites and attractions, special events, scenic byways, parks, recreational opportunities, and more that will make a vacation in Maryland a memorable experience.

“National Plan for Vacation Day is especially important this year. The global pandemic is showing us how important travel is, not only to Maryland’s economy, but to quality of life and personal wellbeing,” said Commerce Secretary Kelly M. Schulz. “You don’t need to travel far to enjoy a great day trip or vacation, and we want Maryland to be your destination of choice. Our many resources and guides can help you explore our state virtually now and when it is safe to travel again, our Maryland tourism industry partners will be open for you.”

So dial our number,  boot up your computer, or swipe your tablet and start using the following resources to plan your time off:

• Destination Maryland Magazine is a full-color magazine with scenic byway themed suggestions as well as regional listings of museums, attractions, history & heritage sites, arts & culture facilities, state & national parks, and visitor services. The magazine even includes a rocking playlist composed of songs about The Old Line State and/or by Marylanders to accompany you on the road (page 144), and for steamed crab neophytes, a “Crab Picking 101” lesson (page 50). Additionally, engaging images shared by travelers to Maryland by using #MDinFocus are included in the magazine. To have inspiration delivered to your doorstep, call 1-800-719-5900 to order your free Destination Maryland Magazine.
• VisitMaryland.org is an inspirational website with content organized around 40 hubs that highlight those “Only in Maryland” activities and experiences. These hubs act as the center of content wheels with related subtopics, branching off as spokes from the central theme, such as the Great Chesapeake Bay Loop, Maryland Crab & Oyster Trail, and African-American Heritage.
• Maryland Great Outdoors Bucket List is a playful compilation of “must see, must do” destinations and activities in Maryland.
• Visit our calendar of events to learn about unique anniversaries and celebrations for your travel planning inspiration. While the National Park Service recently celebrated the 50th anniversary of the C&O Canal’s inclusion into the National Park system, the park and canal towns in the region are planning events (both virtual and live) throughout the year.
• A road trip is the backbone of a quintessential American vacation. Take a look at Maryland Tourism’s YouTube channel, which features many of our state scenic byways, including the Historic National Road, Underground Railroad, Lower Susquehanna, and Chesapeake Country.
• Fish & Hunt Maryland contains information on charter boat captains, hunting guides and outfitters, Maryland Department of Natural Resources regulations, and outdoor retailers, as well as videos of individuals sharing why they love to fish and hunt in Maryland.
• Maryland’s social media platforms are a wonderful way to learn more about unique destinations, anniversaries, Maryland culinary specialties and to connect with other Maryland travel fans. Find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest and share your images with us using #MDinFocus.

National Plan for Vacation Day, celebrated on the last Tuesday in January, is a day to encourage Americans to plan their vacation days for the whole year at the start of the year. According to the U.S. Travel Association, this National Plan for Vacation Day is different—and more important—than any of the ones that came before it. It used to be that Americans did not fully utilize their paid time off for mundane reasons; 28% of Americans did not plan well enough in advance, or they couldn’t tear themselves away from work, thus they forfeited the paid time off.  In 2020, the pandemic prevented people from traveling to relax and recharge, and now 63% of Americans say they desperately need a vacation.

“It’s been a challenging year, and I know we have all missed traveling and exploring our great country,” said U.S. Travel President and CEO Roger Dow. “While many are not yet ready or able to take a vacation, we are encouraging Americans to pull out their calendars on January 26 and get a future trip on the books—even if that just means dreaming about your next getaway.”

Start planning a Maryland vacation now! Order your free Destination Maryland Magazine via www.visitmaryland.org. For personalized assistance, call 1-800-719-5900.

About Maryland Tourism

The Maryland Office of Tourism is an agency within the Maryland Department of Commerce. Visitors to the state spent $18.1 billion on travel-related expenses in 2018. The Maryland tourism industry also generated $2.5 billion in state and local taxes and provided Marylanders with more than 150,000 jobs. For more information, go to www.visitmaryland.org.

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