Chesapeake Gateways Partner Profile: Maryland Office of Tourism Development

Maryland Office of Tourism Development prides itself on creating a better life for all Marylanders through strong, sustainable local communities that welcome a diversity of explorers. The Maryland Office of Tourism drives community enhancement and economic development through innovation and partnerships.

The National Park Service's Chesapeake Gateways and Maryland Office of Tourism Development’s partnership advanced shared goals to increase public access to outdoor recreation, history, and tourism destinations on and around the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. Among several key projects, a visitor use study developed recommendations for Chesapeake Bay tourism initiatives, including visitor experiences and Chesapeake tourism focused marketing to promote the Chesapeake Bay Storytellers programs offered to the public.

Up to 40 new trained Chesapeake Bay Storytellers, representing land-based as well as water-based tour providers, businesses, nonprofit and government organizations resulted from the partnership. Coordinated promotion at the state and local level of Chesapeake Bay Storyteller services, programs and guided tour experiences included placement of advertising/sponsored content in key domestic and international markets to attract visitors to Chesapeake sites and the natural and cultural programs offered. In-depth informational workshops were implemented to train Welcome/Visitor Center travel counselors to optimize their promotion of Chesapeake Bay Storyteller services, programs, and guided tour experiences. In addition to the Chesapeake Bay Storyteller initiative, the partnership coordinated the creation and production of “The Hidden Chesapeake: Slavery and Freedom in the Bay through Harriet Tubman’s Eyes.” This approximately 10-page narrative resource explores the historical context of the struggle with slavery in the region from 1619 to the Civil War and is presented in a highly readable format suitable for the general reader, touring public, tour guide and researcher.