Boosting efforts to draw more visitors to Maryland, the Maryland Office of Tourism has entered into an agreement with Travelocity to give visitors an easy and reliable way to book trips to Maryland on www.visitmaryland.org.The new booking functionality provided by Travelocity further enhances the site’s promotion of statewide accommodations, attractions and other tourism initiatives.

As part of the agreement, Maryland will receive a commission from Travelocity for any travel arrangements booked from www.visitmaryland.org. The non-exclusive agreement has been approved by the Maryland Board of Public Works.

“This agreement with a well-respected travel agency like Travelocity will truly put Maryland on the cutting edge, as online travel booking continues to gain popularity,” said Business and Economic Development Secretary Aris Melissaratos. “This is a great opportunity to showcase all that Maryland has to offer, with our world-class hotels and attractions and outstanding destinations.”

Maryland tourism officials decided to align with a web-based travel agency after evaluating a month-long trial run last summer during which www.visitmaryland.org was promoted on Travelocity. The trial run resulted in more than 3,000 room reservations booked, a 300 percent increase over the same time the previous year.

“Travelocity is proud to be playing such a key role in promoting tourism throughout Maryland,” said Richard Harris, senior vice president, strategy and distribution for Travelocity. “We are eager to help show all the state has to offer to travelers everywhere.”

Travelocity has also been nominated this year for a

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World Travel Award as World’s Leading Travel Internet Site.
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