A new magazine named Scenic Washington State has started up to promote versatile travel planning in the state.

Scenic Washington is an interactive glossy travel magazine that's designed to work in tandem with ScenicWA.com to assist savvy travelers in creating personalized getaways, says its publisher, Seattle-based Destination Media Alliance LLC. That company was formed by industry veterans Paul Heppner, Marcus Yearout, and Lisa Schwartz to develop further products and services in the tourism category.

Destination Media published The Official Washington State Travel Planner for the state tourism office in 2009 through 2011, and also has created the Washington State Scenic Byways & Road Trips and Washington State Wine Tour Guide.

A new Scenic Washington suite of products developed by Destination Media Alliance offers consumers print, digital, and mobile travel planning capabilities, the company says. The new interactive publication, along with complementing the previously mentioned website, soon will be optimized for mobile devices, linking directly to suggested itineraries and planning tools, it says.

Digimarc Discover technology, an alternative to QR codes, is embedded in the print magazine, allowing readers to scan select photos with a smartphone or tablet, opening online content such as videos and slide shows.

"Users can now access everything from saved itineraries to suggested pit stops, when they want, where they want and how they want—be it in print, online, or mobile format," says Heppner, Destination Media principal and publisher.

National research indicates that the desire for mobile travel features is continually growing. According to an emarketer.com survey conducted last year, 46 percent of U.S. active travelers use iPads or other tablets to find restaurants or shops nearby, and 26 percent view virtual visitor guides from their devices. With Scenic Washington's interactive website, travelers now can plan road trips ahead of time and access and share their travel plans and information from their phones or tablets while on the go.

Scenic Washington State's senior editor, Anne Erickson, has worked as producer of KING-TV 5's long running television series Northwest Backroads, and leads a group of "insiders" who scour the state providing expertise in helping readers plan a trip. The insiders each specialize in activities tailored to a variety of interests, covering topics like food and wine, backroading, family travel, and golf. The "Ask the Insider" feature on ScenicWA.com allows readers to interact with those experts directly by asking questions and creating online dialogue.

A digital version of the magazine can be accessed on a tablet or smartphone. Free print copies of Scenic Washington can be ordered online at www.ScenicWA.com. The magazine also will be available at visitor information centers, transportation hubs, and AAA offices throughout the western U.S. and British Columbia.