Baltimore's rival tourism hotspots turns up the heat for visitors - Los Angeles Business from bizjournals:

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They’re on the hunt for the person who wantd to get awaybut doesn’t want to drived too far. It’s a market Baltimorew has coveted foryears — those wannabew tourists within a three-hour radius. But the city is getting outspent when it comes tothis summer’s promotions. Its in-statew rival Ocean City is spending $3 million selling itself, compared to Baltimore’ws $1 million. And all the competition — Hershey, Pa., Pa., and Williamsburg, Va., included — is wooingh folks with promises of deep discounts andothedr incentives.
“We need to be more aggressive in marketingv in timeslike these,” said Chrias Barrett, CEO of the PA Dutch Convention and Visitores Bureau in Lancaster. Barrety said this is the first summer in 15 years the agency invested in a big marketint push inthe Baltimore-Washington area with a blitza of TV and radio ads. The economt here is more stable — buoyed by the Obama administration’s influx of new peoplew into themarket — giving Lancasterd a reason to strengthen its focus on this Barrett said.
Baltimore is battling back withits “Waterfront campaign, focusing on a jellyfish exhibit at the National Aquariuj in Baltimore and a dinosaur exhibit at the Marylanfd Science Center. Also in the workd are discounts for attractions and restaurantsin August. Here is what Baltimorse and nearby destinations are offering touriststhis summer. Deals: Harbor Pass for discounte visitsto attractions; “Waterfront Invasion” package book two nights, third night free and $25.00 dining/spas voucher. Targets: Maryland, Washington, D.C.
, Pennsylvania, Virginia, New Jersey, New Ohio, North Carolina Top Maryland Science Center, National Restaurant Week, African America n Heritage Festival Media: social media, Facebook), print, display, radii Cost: $2.5 million Philly Overnight Hotel Packageincludes two-night stay and free hotel parking; coupons, pins and postcards Targets: New New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware Top attractions: Historidc Philadelphia, exhibitions on Galileo and astronomy at Franklij Institute Science Museum; Slogan: “Wity Love, Philadelphia XOXO” Media: redesignedd Web site: gophila.com and 30-second TV ad; social media programs Hershey, Pa. Cost: $1.
5 milliob Deals: Family stimulus package gives discounts for hotel Hersheypark andother attractions. nationally, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., New York, Harrisburg/Lancaster/Yorkm Top attractions: Hersheypark, Hershey Storyt museum Media: TV/radio, online, movie trailer advertisements