The Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism (MOTT) has announced the first-of-its-kind Massachusetts Whale Trail, a major collaboration among Bay State tourism destinations for the promotion of assets stretching from Provincetown to Pittsfield. Telling the story of the region through its connection to whales, the Massachusetts Whale Trail features nearly 40 stops along the coast, as well as a literary tangent connecting sites in Western Massachusetts. Whale Trail partners include museums, attractions, historic sites, educational centers, and tours.

“We’re thrilled to announce the new Massachusetts Whale Trail,” says Francois-Laurent Nivaud, Executive Director of Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism. “The Whale Trail captures the maritime spirit of Massachusetts and offers a new way for visitors to engage with our long and storied connection to whales.”

The Massachusetts Whale Trail links nearly 40 regions, sites, and experiences associated with the marine mammal, of which there are currently 11 species off the coast and account for over 800,000 visitors annually. Sites include historic landmarks such as the Seaman’s Bethel and Mariners’ Home in New Bedford, whale watching tours from Provincetown to Newburyport, museums like the Nantucket Historical Association Whaling Museum, and educational activities such as the SEA SPACE Marine Discovery Center in Provincetown.

Beyond the coast, sites along the Melville Trail in Western Massachusetts are featured for their connection to the famous author Herman Melville’s renowned novel, Moby-Dick. Regional partners include the Massachusetts Regional Tourism Councils, as well as local tourism offices for towns from New Bedford to Salem.

In addition to traditional attractions, visitors are encouraged to embrace the broader cultural influence of whales. MOTT’s promotions feature galleries with whale art, such as Focus Gallery in Chatham, and whale-inspired IPAs with Moby Dick Brewing Company in New Bedford.

“This Massachusetts Whale Trail is a fun and engaging way to tell the story of our relationship with these magnificent giants of the ocean” said Tina Malott, Director of Marketing and Public Relations, New Bedford Whaling Museum “Our region’s past, present, and future is intimately connected to the sea, and to whales in particular. The New Bedford Whaling Museum is dedicated to teaching about humankind’s interaction with whales throughout history, as well as teaching about the world of whales today.”

To promote the Massachusetts Whale Trail, MOTT has launched www.whaletrailma.com, and developed itineraries highlighting interactive experiences for visitors by theme. Early itineraries include a literary-enthusiasts track, exploring a route dedicated to Herman Melville’s life and inspiration in Massachusetts, and another for family friendly adventurers, with whale watching tours and sites to experience marine life first hand. Sites along the trail will also be launching special promotions and packages in support of the trail, using the hashtag #whaletrailMA.

For more details about the Massachusetts Whale Trail, visit www.whaletrailma.com