To further entice visitors to Baltimore, the Baltimore Area Convention and Visitors Association rolled out a new program called Summerbration that provides travelers with discounts to area attractions.
The centerpiece of the new program is a coupon book that offers more than $150 in savings at more than 40 attractions and activities in the city. Promotions range from 50 percent off select Amtrak fares and reduced prices on the Double Decker Tour and Harbor Cruises to discounts at restaurants such as James Joyce Irish Pub& Restaurant and the Rusty Scupper.
In addition, the coupon book provides discounts at cultural attractions such as the Baltimore Museum of Art, the Walters Art Museum and the Fells Point Maritime Museum.
“Summer is our major family season so there is always some kind of [promotional] activity surrounding the summer,” said Margot Amelia, BACVA?s vice president of marketing. “This is the first time we?re offering a coupon book of this magnitude.”
Robert Fairson, manager at the Fells Point Maritime Museum, said that participating in the promotion could spur visitors to come to the museum who otherwise would have just toured the Harbor area.
“I think it will be helpful in getting exposure for us since we?re in Fells Point and are kind of away from all the other attractions in the Inner Harbor,” Fairson said.
The free coupon book can either be picked up at the Baltimore Visitor Center or downloaded at www.baltimoresummer.com. The Web site also includes a special events calendar and information on planning a visit to the city. Amelia added that the promotion, which runs through Aug. 30, is a good tie-in with other special offers and passes.
“They work in conjunction together,” Amelia said. “If we can lure people here with an offer of a $150 in coupon savings, when they come to the Visitor Center for the coupon book we can up-sell them on buying a Heritage Pass or Harbor Pass and really generate a significant economic impact.”
Meanwhile, Amelia said that with continued high fuel prices, $150 in savings could be the deciding factor for families planning a vacation.
“Travel forecasters are saying that with high gas prices people definitely could be deterred a little” from traveling, she said. “If we give people a discount ? a little special offer ? it could help offset any concerns over gas prices.”
BACVA?s promotion
» Highlighting Summerbration in radio and television ads as part of its “Get In On It” campaign.
» Posting Web banners on sites such as MapQuest, Yahoo and AOL targeting travelers in a 250-mile radius of the city.
