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JULY 2018

Dear Colleagues,

Massachusetts is abuzz with tourists this summer from across the US and around the world, here to enjoy our beaches and mountains, cities and towns, history and culture and restaurants and shopping.

On the international front, LATAM’s new direct air service between Boston and Sao Paulo launched this month, connecting Massachusetts and New England to Brazil. Read our MA Profile on local Brazilian leader Heloisa Maria Galvão to learn about Massachusetts’ vibrant Brazilian-American community.

Thank you for working with MOTT and our partners to promote Massachusetts as a top destination for leisure and business travel.

Sincerely,

Francois-Laurent Nivaud
Executive Director
MOTT

Industry Spotlight
Heloisa Maria Galvao
Viva Brazil!

Heloisa Maria Galvão is co-founder and Executive Director of the Brazilian Women’s Group, a Boston-based organization formed in 1995 to address the rights of women and immigrants. Now in its 23rd year, the Group runs the Brazilian Independence Day Festival, taking place on September 9... Read more

By the Numbers

MA lodging industry performance for May, 2018 vs. May, 2017

- The number of Rooms Sold in MA(1.9 M) grew 2.2% trailing the U.S. growth of 2.7%. PA grew by 4.8%, New York grew by 6.6% while New Jersey increased by 2.5%.

- The change in Occupancy Rate in MA of negative 1.8% underperformed the U.S. which grew by 0.7%. Occupancy in PA increased by 3.1%, New York up 3.9% and up 0.9% in New Jersey.

- Average Daily Room Rate (ADR) declined by 1.8% in MA vs. an increase 2.6% for U.S.

- ADR decline held back growth in Room Revenue in MA to 0.3%. By comparison, the U.S. Room Revenue grew by 5.4%.

- Revenue Per Available Room (RevPar) dropped in MA by 3.6%. However, RevPar grew in the U.S.(+3.3%), PA(+2.9%), NY (+7.9%) and NJ (+3.5%).

MA lodging industry performance CY 2018 through May vs. same period in 2017

- For the first 5 months of calendar year 2018, Rooms Sold in MA grew 6.0% to 8 M vs. U.S. growth of 2.9% to 502 M. By comparison New Jersey was up 4.0%, New York up 6.2% and PA up 8.2%.

- The decrease of 1.8% in Average Daily Room Rate (ADR) in MA continued to hold back growth in both Room Revenue (+4.1%) and RevPar (+1.0%).

- The increase in Room Supply of 3.1% also contributed to the drag on RevPar growth.


Industry News & Events

Ride the Leisure Rail

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) has introduced a promotional rate for weekend rides this summer on its Commuter Rail network. Through Sunday, September 2, unlimited travel across the full Commuter Rail network is just $10 each weekend. Each ticket is good for all Commuter Rail lines and all zones on Saturday and Sunday.

Public transit is a great way to explore Massachusetts for visitors who might not have access to a vehicle, or for anyone who wants to enjoy the en route experience in a convenient, cost-effective, and efficient way.

Leveraging destination assets, the Commuter Rail is highlighting things to do and see at over 130 stops. We encourage you share this option to residents and visitors alike who are coming to your area. For more details about the summer special, routes and other information, visit massbytrain.com.

Boston-Brazil Connections

On July 2, Massachusetts and Boston tourism officials welcomed a group of LATAM Sales & Marketing Executives along with Media and Travel Trade FAM participants to celebrate the official launch of the new service between Boston and São Paulo.

“São Paulo is Logan Airport’s 55th international destination and Brazil one of 32 countries now connected to Boston,” said MOTT Executive Director Francois Nivaud. “This new, nonstop flight will continue to advance Massachusetts’ growth through tourism and the expansion of global business connections for our residents, employers and visitors.”

MOTT Attends CCNE Symposium

The 20th Annual Cruise Canada New England (CCNE) Symposium was held last month at Flynn Cruiseport Boston and was attended by 160 owners/executives from cruise ship lines. MOTT and the Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau co-sponsored a session where Assistant Secretary of Business Development & International Trade Nam Pham spoke about the Massachusetts tourism regions and Historic Ports of Massachusetts. In 2017, 400,000 passengers arrived in Boston and this year 19 different cruise lines will yield 165 departures or port of calls in Boston. MOTT’s goal is to help passengers learn more about regional shore excursions.

The CCNE alliance of Flynn Cruiseport Boston, CruiseMaine USA, Cruise Atlantic Canada, Cruise the Saint Lawrence and NYCruise market Canada/New England to US and European cruise lines.

Mass Film Office

Massachusetts’ new TV series, CASTLE ROCK, based on Stephen King multiverses, produced by Warner Bros Television and JJ Abrams’ Bad Robot, premieres July 25 on Hulu. King’s fictional town of Castle Rock, Maine is portrayed by Orange, Massachusetts. The series filmed in Orange and surrounding towns throughout the region, as well as New England Studios in nearby Devens.

“HBO is bringing seven weeks of LGBT cultural programming to the iconic gay destination of Provincetown, Mass,” according to Advocate Magazine.


Mass Sports Office

Congratulations to United 2026 for winning the 2026 FIFA World Cup Bid. United 2026, the partnership of Canada, Mexico, and the US bid for the soccer tournament in 2026 and won. The City of Boston is one of the 16 US cities eligible to host games. Read the press release.

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