In These Troubled Economic Times, The Sea Everything Mystic Pass Card Offers Visitors Huge Savings

Travelers looking for value this summer need not look any further than the scenic coastal town of Mystic. Available for a second year, the “Sea Everything” Mystic Pass Card – a unique promotion launched by Mystic Seaport and Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration, in partnership with 30 Mystic-area businesses – provides discounts and added value during the summer vacation season and beyond.  The pass provides $250 value for only $52.  Launched last year, 11,646 Pass Cards were sold, exceeding the card’s first-year sales goal of 10,000 by 16 percent. 

According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), Americans are still planning vacations for the summer, but are staying closer to home, accepting fewer amenities and shortening their stays.
The Mystic Pass Card, offers one-time admission to Mystic Seaport and Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration (including free next-day return with ticket validation), a complimentary fountain drink at each attraction, a limited-edition Mystic tee shirt, up to 20 percent off rates at local lodging properties, up to 25 percent discounts at local restaurants and shops and discounted admission to the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center through March 31, 2010. 
 
The Mystic Pass Card is a result of the Exit 90 “Sea Everything” collaboration, a group of 30 businesses in Mystic that have participated in cooperative destination marketing planning, including the development of a Web site (mystic.org) and joint advertising, public relations and promotional efforts, for three years. 
“Last summer, gas prices were at an all-time high, and the economy was starting to weaken. The Mystic Pass Card was the value answer for many visitors,” said Steve White, president of Mystic Seaport. “We anticipate even more people will take advantage of the Pass Card this year as they stay closer to home and seek more value for their money.”
 
The Mystic Pass Card is available for purchase at Mystic Seaport and Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration, as well as at mystic.org, the Tourist Information Center in Olde Mistick Village and the Mystic Depot Welcome Center in Mystic through October 2009. 
 
The Pass Card is $52 for adults, $48 for seniors age 65 and older, $42 for youth ages 6 to 17 and $22 for children ages 3 to 5.

For a list of participating businesses and their discounts, as well as information about Mystic Seaport and Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration, visit mystic.org.