By the Numbers

Lodging Data U.S. & Massachusetts, December 2018 vs. December 2017

• In December 2018, the Occupancy Rate in MA (53.5%) grew by 4.0% compared to December 2017. The Occupancy Rate across the U.S. only grew by 0.1% to 54.1%.

• Rooms Sold in MA totaled 1.4 million, a 7.3% increase compared to the U.S. growth in Rooms Sold of only 2.1% to 87.5 million.

• The Average Daily Rate in MA of $144.19 was a 4.3% increase, which was substantially higher than the U.S. ADR growth of 1.8% to $124.28.

• Revenue Per Available Room (RevPar) grew by 8.5% in MA, reaching $77.09 and significantly outperforming the 1.9% growth to $67.20 in the U.S.

• Room Revenue in MA totaled $195.1 million, up 11.9%. This far outpaces the U.S., which was up 3.9% to 10.9 billion.

*Please note: A significant factor in the Massachusetts lodging increases in November is attributable to the emergency work in Merrimack and Essex Counties.

Lodging data in U.S. and Massachusetts, CYTD through November 2018

• The Occupancy rate for Calendar Year 2018 in Massachusetts was 70.7%, which outpaced the U.S. average of 66.2%. For CY 2018 vs. CY 2017 Occupancy grew by 2.4% in MA, vs. 0.5% across the U.S.

• The Average Daily Rate (ADR) in Massachusetts of $186.34 was 44% higher than the U.S. average of $129.83. Year over year, the Massachusetts ADR grew by 1.3% vs. 2.4% for the U.S.

• Revenue Per Available Room (RevPar) was $131.79 in Massachusetts which was 53% higher than the $85.96 RevPar for the U.S. RevPar was up 3.7% in Massachusetts and 2.9% in the U.S.

Industry News

Canada Sales Mission: April 2019

MOTT is organizing a sales mission to Canada on April 9-11. Events in Toronto and Montreal will include key media and travel trade at a reception and presentation. Cost to participate is $750 per participant. Space is limited! Deadline for participation is February 11. Please contact Annie Moloney for more details.

The Big E: September 2019

The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) invites Massachusetts businesses and organizations to apply for the opportunity to exhibit in the Massachusetts State Exposition Building. It is an opportunity to showcase and sell to over a million attendees that come through the Massachusetts Building. The mission of the Massachusetts State Exposition Building is to showcase Massachusetts agriculture, culture, commerce and tourism through informational, educational, promotional and retail exhibits. Interested applicants are encouraged to review the exhibitor guidelines and application on the MDAR website, and submit a completed application by Wednesday, March 13, 2019.

For more information, please contact Building Manager Fran Pearson.

Paid Family and Medical Leave Listening Sessions

The Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development will be holding public listening sessions with respect to draft regulations for Paid Family and Medical Leave. These sessions are open to the public and registration is not required. We invite you to attend and share your comments on the implementation of the regulations. Visit mass.gov/dfml for the list of upcoming sessions.

2019 ABA Marketplace

Thank you to the over 80 delegates from Massachusetts who joined us at the 2019 American Bus Association Marketplace in Louisville, Kentucky last month! Leads from the show have been posted on our media & industry portal. Leads are password protected - email John Alzapiedi for access.

2019 Boston Globe Travel Show

Thank you to the RTCs, costumed characters and volunteers who joined us at the 2019 Boston Globe Travel Show last month. Even a snow storm couldn’t stop the Massachusetts tourism industry from promoting every corner of the Commonwealth. If you have any questions regarding the show, please contact Phyllis M. Cahaly.

North of Boston Tourism Summit

Nearly 225 tourism industry professionals attended the 13th Annual North of Boston Tourism Summit on February 1. Boston Marathon Race Director Dave McGillivary gave the keynote address, and MOTT staff members Phyllis M. Cahaly, Director of Partnership Marketing and Tony D’Agostino, Research Manager, made presentations.

China 3.0 Workshop

Nearly 100 travel and hospitality professionals attended the China Workshop to discuss new opportunities for tapping into this robust market. MOTT Executive Director Francois Nivaud received an award for his efforts to develop the China marketing initiative in Massachusetts. Presentations from the workshop are available on our media & industry portal.

MOTT FAM Leads

Check out the MOTT FAM Leads page for more information on upcoming opportunities to host travel writers and tour operators. There are many upcoming spring FAM tours that could use your support, including the inaugural Norwegian Rome to Boston flight group press FAM or the unique opportunity to be part of DerTour’s CampusLive 2019 Experience Group Trade FAM from Germany. As always, thank you for your efforts in promoting travel and tourism into Massachusetts. Please contact Maria Speridakos if you have any questions or would like to learn more about international FAM opportunities.

Notable Media Coverage

Massachusetts hotels won 12 awards from TripAdvisor’s America’s Best List. Read the article by Boston Magazine to find out more. Congratulations to the featured Massachusetts hotels!

MA Sports Marketing Office

[Press Release] Massachusetts Compiles Its Top Sporting Events for 2019

• Red Bull Crashed Ice, Fenway Park, February 8-9

• USBA Massachusetts State Breaking Grand Championships,St. Stan’s School, Chicopee,
February 24

• 2019 USATF New England Indoor Track & Field Championship, Harvard University’s Gordon Track, Cambridge, February 17

For a full schedule of major sporting events across Massachusetts, visit MAsportsoffice.com.

MA Film Office

Boston Jewish Film Festival, February 7-14, various venues in greater Boston. For a full schedule of film festivals in Massachusetts, visit MAfilm.org/.