Exclusive Foursquare Badges Offer Keys to Unlock PA Travel Adventures

HARRISBURG, Pa., Nov. 29, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Pennsylvania Tourism Office today announced an exclusive deal with Foursquare that allows users to obtain "PA Lock & Keystone" badges by "checking-in" with their mobile devices at Pennsylvania restaurants, museums, retail shops, historic landmarks, state parks, wineries and other tourist attractions.

"Pennsylvania is the first and only state to create exclusive branded badges on Foursquare, leading to the attraction of thousands of followers to the state's tourism website – visitpa.com," said Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary C. Alan Walker. "To keep the momentum going, we have partnered again with Foursquare to launch the new Lock & Keystone badge, and are working with our local tourism partners to market this new initiative."

In 2010, Pennsylvania became the first state to partner with Foursquare by populating the network with more than 200 state tourism attractions and creating four custom badges: "PA Shooflyer" (dining), "PA Retail Polka" (shopping), "PA 4 Score & 7" (history), and "PA Groundhog Day."

Since the launch, and subsequent retirement of those four badges, visitPA has amassed nearly 90,000 followers and adds approximately 150 new followers daily.  To date, over 67,800 Foursquare users have unlocked a PA badge providing tips and recommendations for travel locations and allowing users to earn rewards and discounts using their mobile devices. 

Now, anyone can earn the "Lock and Keystone" badge by following visitPA on Foursquare at www.Foursquare.com/visitPA; and then checking in to any five eligible Pennsylvania locations.

The Pennsylvania Tourism Office is partnering with the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau, Lycoming County Visitors Bureau, the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation, Bucks County Visitors Bureau, and Crawford County Convention and Visitors Bureau to promote the new Lock & Keystone badge.

Foursquare is a location-based, social networking site that makes cities easier to navigate and more interesting to explore by allowing users to "check-in" using their phones and post their current locations, meet up with friends, and provide travel recommendations and tips while collecting points and virtual badges. Merchants and brands leverage the Foursquare platform by using a set of tools, including specials, to obtain, engage, and retain customers and audiences.

The Pennsylvania Tourism Office, under the state Department of Community and Economic Development, is dedicated to inspiring travel to the State of Independence. For more information, go to www.visitPA.com or our mobile site m-visitPA.; become a fan at facebook.com/visitPA, follow us at twitter.com/visitPA, share photos at flickr.com/visitPA, friend us at Foursquare.com/visitPA, or watch us on youtube.com/visitPA.

Media contact: Steve Kratz, 717-783-1132

Editor's Note: For additional Pennsylvania tourism story ideas, follow us at www.twitter.com/patourismpr.

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development