Exploring Western Mass & Yankee Candle Village featured on Mass Appeal spotlighted a key initiative for regional tourism: making local attractions, dining, and family-friendly experiences more accessible and affordable for residents and visitors alike.
Hosted in collaboration with Explore Western Mass and featured on WWLP’s Mass Appeal, the segment brought together local tourism and destination leaders to showcase the newly launched Western Mass Pass—a digital passport offering exclusive discounts at top regional spots, including Yankee Candle Village, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, and local dining favorites.
The conversation highlighted how regional tourism initiatives must adapt to shifting economic realities, rising travel costs, and evolving family expectations by driving value for both consumers and local businesses.
During the broadcast, Michele Goldberg (VP of Marketing, Explore Western Mass) and Wade Bassett (Director of Sales & Operations, Yankee Candle Village) sat down to discuss the pass’s impact on local tourism and foot traffic. The discussion explored how destination marketing, curated events, and unique indoor attractions—such as Yankee Candle Village’s indoor beach, Wax Works, and signature events like Girls’ Night Out—help drive year-round regional engagement.
“We know that families and individuals are making tough choices with prices going up. We wanted to help provide real value so there are tons of ways to get out, enjoy the region, and save money while doing it,” said Goldberg.
“We see thousands of visitors a year, and whether it’s special events, making custom candles, or bringing the kids to play on our 18-ton indoor sand beach, there’s truly something here for everyone to spend the whole day,” added Bassett.
If you want to learn more about the Western Mass Pass and regional attractions, head to westernmasspass.com.
The Western Mass Pass is created and brought to you by Rebellion Group.