In celebration of National Plan for Vacation Day on January 28, the Maryland Department of Commerce’s Office of Tourism encourages travelers to commit now to taking time off in 2020 and fill their travel bucket list with Maryland experiences. Explore the Great Chesapeake Bay Loop to experience quintessential Bay towns, bike along the Great Allegheny Passage and the C&O Canal National Historical Park towpath, feast on a pile of steamed blue crabs, or celebrate the Year of the Woman in Maryland with activities that focus on the state’s historical and contemporary women.
“We want Maryland to be the destination of choice for vacations this year,” said Governor Larry Hogan. “From the sandy beaches of Ocean City to the mountains of Western Maryland, visitors can immerse themselves in Chesapeake culture, experience a trail system that is second-to-none, indulge in Maryland’s culinary delights, and learn about our rich historic heritage and why Maryland is the most powerful Underground Railroad story-telling destination in the world.”
National Plan for Vacation Day reminds workers to commit to using vacation days and start planning vacations for the year. According to the U.S. Travel Association, the key to using more vacation time is planning, but nearly half of American households (46%) do not follow this step. Research shows more than half (55%) of Americans left 768 million vacation days unused in 2018, which is a nine percent increase from 2017. The average employee takes 17.4 days off per year, but only nine days are used for travel. Using vacation time can lead to employees feeling happier, healthier, more productive, and more connected with family. Additionally, using vacation days to travel helps stimulate the economy and creates jobs.
Start planning a Maryland vacation now! Travel experiences can be shared on social media using the hashtag #MDinFocus. For more inspiration on bucket list experiences, visit www.visitmaryland.org.
