Media Kit

About COVID-19 in Salem, Massachusetts

Salem has a public health order requiring masks or face coverings be worn in all public spaces, indoors and outdoors, in the downtown district and in Salem parks. Salem is following the Massachusetts 4-phase reopening plan, which is currently in Phase 3. These guidelines restrict gathering sizes to less than 50 people outdoors and less than 25 people indoors, which means all Salem Haunted Happenings events have been cancelled or transitioned to virtual experiences. Most Salem businesses are open and operating under capacity restrictions that allow employees and guests to adhere to physical distancing guidelines. Due to these restrictions all visitors are encouraged to book reservations or buy tickets in advance of arrival. The Massachusetts Travel Order requires visitors from states deemed high-risk to complete a traveler form and quarantine or provide a negative COVID test taken within 72 hours of travel. The list of safe and high-risk states can be found at mass.gov/matraveler.  Everyone planning to visit Salem in 2020 is expected to follow all local and state health orders and guidelines. These guidelines are subject to change, pending public health data. Visit salem.org/covid19 or download the Destination Salem app to receive updates.

About Salem

Salem, Massachusetts, is a destination recognized around the world for its rich history, which includes the tragic Salem Witch Trials of 1692, 
the glorious maritime era that left its indelible mark on Salem through architecture, museums, and artifacts, and for its month-long celebration of Halloween. Today more than one million people visit Salem annually, generating nearly $140 million in tourism spending and supporting 1,000 jobs.

About Salem Haunted Happenings

A month-long celebration of Halloween and fall in New England, people travel from around the world to visit Salem during October.
Celebrating its 37th year, the festival features hundreds of special events in addition to attractions, museums and tours that are in Salem 
throughout the year. For complete information visit HauntedHappenings.org.

About Destination Salem

As the destination marketing organization for the City of Salem, Destination Salem cooperatively markets Salem as one of Massachusetts’ best destinations
for families, couples, domestic, and international travelers who are seeking an authentic New England experience, cultural enrichment, American history,
fine dining, unique shopping and fun. For more information, visit Salem.org.

Press Contact: Kate Fox, Executive Director, kfox@salem.org or call 978-741-3252
Mailing address: P.O. Box 630, Salem, MA 01970

Media Visits

Destination Salem assists journalists on assignment for travel-related stories about Salem and/or Salem Haunted Happenings throughout the year. Visiting journalists must be a credentialed member of the media. A letter of assignment and/or direct links to previous work samples may be required.

Media Visit Request Guidelines and Form
Travel Trade FAM Request Form

Blogger/Influencer Request Guidelines

Press Releases

Destination Salem Offers Guidance on How to Spend October in the Witch City During COVID Era, Released September 15, 2020
Destination Salem launches new mobile app for visitors to plan their visit to Salem, Released September 10, 2020
City of Salem announces first plans for October 2020, Released August 4, 2020
Salem, Massachusetts offers virtual programming during stay-at-home advisory, Released April 13, 2020
Salem Ancestry Days will celebrate and commemorate family histories and genealogy May 1-4, 2020, Released March 3, 2020
Salem Ancestry Days joins a robust schedule of 2020 festivals, Released January 3, 2020
Salem Ancestry Days planned for May 1-4, 2020, Released November 8. 2019
Leave the broom at home and take the trail to the final weekend of Salem Haunted Happenings, Released October 21, 2019
37th Annual Salem Haunted Happenings returns in October, Released August 26, 2019
2019 Festivals in Salem, Massachusetts, Released February 8, 2019
Destination Salem attends the New York Times Travel Show, Released January 29, 2019

Salem in the News

How Salem will be different this October due to COVID - Boston.com (September 21, 2020) 

Guide to 2020 fall festivities in Boston and beyond - The Daily Free Press (September 21, 2020) 

Spooky Season still on? What we know about Halloween 2020 - The Ten on NECN (September 19, 2020) 

Candy or Covid? Some Places Are Canceling Halloween - Bloomberg CityLab (September 18, 2020) 

Will There Or Won’t There Be A Halloween in Salem, MA This October? - AMSSVS (September 17, 2020) 

Salem mayor on tourism: Fewer crowds, won’t be ‘ghost town' - Fox 25 (September 16, 2020) 

Destination Salem launches guide as smartphone app - The Salem News (September 8, 2020) 

America’s fall destinations will have to balance coronavirus safety with a tourism comeback - The Washington Post (August 26, 2020)

What Scares Salem? October Without Halloween - The New York Times (August 13, 2020)

4 Best Day Trips From Boston - Conde Nast Traveler (June 23, 2020)

Perfect Weekend in Salem, Massachusetts - Weekends with Yankee (May 21, 2020)

Hex Appeal - Cara by Aer Lingus (October/November 2019)

Witchy Wellness - N by Norwegian (October 2019)

Salem, Massachusetts Travel Guide - Marie Claire (October 2019)

Backstory - WGNTV Chicago (October 2019)

Foodie Travel Guide to Salem, MA - Cooking with Books (April 2019)

Photo Galleries

High resolution images and B-roll are available on request. Please email Kate Fox for Dropbox links.