LJHere’s the Scoop: Ice Cream Trail and Burgers, a Rebrand, and More DMO Initiatives
One scoop is never enough, said VisitPA as the DMO announced the 8th Annual Scooped: An Ice Cream Trail. Delivered straight to mobile phones, there’s no app to download for the pass that features preferred Pennsylvania locations that use local ingredients to craft homemade flavors. Running May 29 – Sept. 7, 2025, there are points for prizes, such as an overnight getaway in Lancaster County to experience “life on the farm.”
In California, Visit Oakland has launched a delicious guide to the best burgers in “The Town,” with the online Oakland Burger Trail. Recently voted the best food city in the USA by readers of Condé Nast Traveler, there are unique options like vegan, culturally inspired, and creative twists like hamburgers piled high with mac & cheese, fried eggs, jalapeños, or pineapple.
Connecticut Tourism Office says, “Like an oyster, the CT Oyster Trail is a living and breathing thing, constantly growing and evolving.” Did you know? Connecticut harvests 20 million oysters per year. There’s a QR code to show where they’re farmed, where to buy them, and where to eat them. Get a taste in the DMO’s short documentary, Rising Tide to Table, named Winner for Achievement in Directing (Documentary) at the 2024 Bridgeport Film Festival.
Visit Bellevue has evolved from a quiet tech and innovation hub into a modern, globally connected basecamp city for Seattle and Pacific Northwest travel. A bold new tourism brand identity and campaign in partnership with creative agency 62ABOVE followed months of research and community input showing that Bellevue surprises people. In just the past year, Bellevue reported its heaviest tourism year to date, backed by brand new hotels, 80 new restaurants, a nationally award-winning new food tour, and sustainable transportation methods that make it well on its way to being afully carbon-free, car-free destination by 2040.
The new campaign “Unexpect It,” a new logo and brand identity reflect Bellevue’s evolution, honoring the city’s roots while looking boldly to the future. Inspired by Bellevue’s identity as “a city within a park”, the design blends clean modern fonts with a handwritten script, capturing both its role as a thriving tech hub and its laidback, nature-connected lifestyle. Subtle illustrations of mountain peaks, evergreen trees, and a guiding compass rose reflect Bellevue’s unique position as a gateway to adventure with easy access to Greater Seattle, three national parks, ferries and islands, Washington wine country, and endless outdoor pursuits.
Visit Fort Wayne—a city for all abilities—has launched a community-driven initiative aimed at advancing the city’s commitment to accessibility, which had been identified as a cornerstone of the 10-Year Tourism Marketing Plan. A dedicated task force of local leaders and advocates will guide a five- to six-month process identifying opportunities for improvements as well as exploring how to embrace universal design principles that raise the profile of accessibility as a core value in tourism development. Whereabout, a destination strategy firm, has been commissioned to lead the planning process in addition to input from the public.
Listen to an untold story of music, mystery and civil rights. “Charlie’s Place” is a new podcast series of five episodes co-produced by Atlas Obscura and Rococo Punch in partnership with Visit Myrtle Beach and Pushkin Industries. Hosted by Rhym Guissé, the show uncovers the hidden history of a legendary Black nightclub in Myrtle Beach – and the people, including Charlie Fitzgerald, who made it a symbol of culture, resistance, and community during the Jim Crow era.
Designed for travel advisor professionals, Visit Galveston created its Destination Expert Program providing on-demand access to training modules, sales resources, insider tips, and a certification program. There’s multimedia content, interactive quizzes, and regularly updated itineraries tailored for leisure travelers, groups, and more. Advisors can earn the designation of Galveston Island Pro and receive exclusive perks, including marketing assets and eligibility for fam trip opportunities.