Baltimore City and Visit Baltimore to Launch Safe Travel Campaign
(Baltimore, MD – Sept. 30, 2020) – Visit Baltimore, the official destination sales and marketing organization for Baltimore, announced today that the City of Baltimore will invest $5 million in a new safe travel campaign to encourage those along the I-95 corridor and in the Greater Baltimore region to safely explore Charm City this fall and winter.
The campaign is anticipated to launch in mid-November and will include television, print and online advertisements; the campaign will conclude by end of year and is made possible by federal stimulus funds from the 2020 CARES Act, which is specifically aimed at scaffolding COVID-19 recovery efforts and supporting the industries hardest hit by the pandemic.
“As part of our citywide COVID recovery plan, we’re pleased to partner with Visit Baltimore to launch a safe travel campaign this fall,” said Mayor Bernard C. ‘Jack’ Young. “While it’s critical that travelers heed the health and safety advice provided by our Health Commissioner and other local authorities, we want to encourage those living nearby to make memories and share good times in Baltimore at our restaurants, museums, historical sites and distinctive cultural hubs. So many family-friendly entertainment options are open for business right now, and during this period of uncertainty and stress, good times are made possible with masks, proper social distancing and basic safety precautions. I am confident that this new effort will put Baltimore back on the map and top of mind for travelers while we continue to model safe standards in tourism.”
“It’s no secret that our industry has been decimated by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Al Hutchinson, President & CEO at Visit Baltimore. “The U.S. Travel Association (USTA) has reported that 15.8 million travel-related jobs in the U.S. have been lost due to the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in an industry unemployment rate of 51%. These numbers are huge and unprecedented, but statistics don’t show the emotional pain and heartache of what hard-working folks at our hotels, restaurants and attractions are grappling with every day. When I speak to my peers and colleagues working here in Baltimore, a city where the travel industry is the third largest economic driver, I hear stories of pain, stress and tough decisions. Our industry needs help right now, and we’re grateful to Mayor Young and his team for partnering with us to carefully but quickly work towards the recovery of tourism in Baltimore. While travel will continue to look very different in the months ahead, we hope this new marketing campaign will inspire those within driving distance to come safely enjoy Baltimore’s many restaurants, museums and attractions.”
About Visit Baltimore
Visit Baltimore is the official sales and marketing arm for the City of Baltimore. The 501(c)(6) organization generates economic benefits for stakeholders through the attraction of convention, group and leisure visitors. In 2019, spending by travelers totaled $6 billion in direct spending throughout the city, supporting 86,827 total jobs and generating $750 million in state and city tax revenues. For more information, please visit Baltimore.org.
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Jessie Walker
Public Relations Manager
[email protected]
410-659-7032