View this email as a webpage

 

 

 

Dear Colleagues,

Massachusetts is a four-season destination, so it was a pleasant surprise to recently have a bout of spring weather reaching 73 degrees in the middle of February. Thankfully for our outdoor winter venues, we also had significant snowfall throughout the month, too.

Speaking of snow, we’re happy to profile in this issue Tom Meyers, Director of Marketing for Wachusett Mountain Ski Area, who gives us the inside scoop on what it takes to market a ski resort in Massachusetts – year round!

That said, spring is definitely on the horizon, and the Mass Office of Travel & Tourism is looking ahead to a busy season. A few signature activities on our seasonal calendar include the centennial celebration of John F. Kennedy’s birth and the NCAA Men’s and Women’s Lacrosse Championships in May. In June we welcome the arrival of the Rendez-Vous 2017 Tall Ships Regatta in Boston and the opening of the Dr. Seuss Museum in Springfield.

So enjoy the season no matter what the weather brings, and we hope to see you soon.

Sincerely,

Francois-Laurent Nivaud
Executive Director, MOTT

Industry Spotlight
Tom Meyers:
Outlook from the Summit
With winter sports very much on the radar, MOTT caught up with Tom Meyers, Director of Marketing for Wachusett Mountain Ski Area in Princeton. Wachusett offers 26 trails for all levels of skiers and snowboarders, 100% snowmaking coverage, a ski and snowboard school, and a strong dedication to environmental programming. . Read more...

INDUSTRY 

MOTT Recognitions

The National Tour Association (NTA) and Courier Magazine have named the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism as a 2017 Distinguished Dozen winner of the Bronze Award in the category of North American DMO Partner – State/Province.

Massachusetts is the best! Have you heard? Massachusetts was ranked as the best state by US News and World Report – a designation we’re pretty proud of. “Its vibrant academic environment, innovative and supportive health care policies and modernizing economy, measure for measure, make this small New England powerhouse with a population of 6.8 million the strongest state of all,” the study reads. Read all about it!

By the Numbers

Tony D’Agostino, MOTT’s Research Director, reports the following travel-related data:

Massachusetts Lodging Room Revenue finished Calendar Year 2016 up 3.1% compared to Calendar Year 2015. Most of the increase was due to the growth in “Average Daily Room Rate” of 2.6%. Even though Occupancy rates across the Commonwealth were down 1.6%, the “Rooms Sold Rate” grew by 0.5%. The difference between the Occupancy and Sold rates was due to the growth in “Rooms Available” of 2.2%.

Calendar year 2016 also saw substantial growth in both state and local lodging Rooms Tax Collections. Massachusetts state wide rooms tax collections grew by 4% to $252 million while local rooms tax collections were up 4.3% to $203 million. The growth in room tax collections differs from that of the lodging revenue because tax collections lag behind the actual hotel stay by a couple of months.

What’s New Massachusetts?

We want to know about all of the exciting things happening with you! The MOTT PR team collects “What’s New” information as part of its efforts to promote activities and stories from all regions. These updates will inform the following consumer and media relations activities:

• Supporting MOTT’s international representatives for their pitching of top tier international media for potential FAM trips

• Keeping new activities top of mind for domestic FAM pitches

• Influencing our social media calendars for months ahead

• Creating opportunities for new attractions / activities to be included in collateral documents such as Black History: Maritime Tradition and Opportunity and/or additional story ideas.

Tell us about your new event, anniversary, property, or attraction by emailing Abigail Phillips

Domestic PR - 5 Things New in Spring

MOTT’s latest seasonal endeavor explores the light and bright offerings of springtime. Tourism inspiration takes the form of flower shows and picturesque gardens, inventive ways to celebrate moms and dads, hiking trails perfect for soaking up the sunshine (with a special shout-out to Massachusetts footwear brands), and a bevy of holidays and events that can’t be missed. Visit the Spring page on our website or download 5 Things Spring for the full breakdown.

International PR - Media Relations

Our international public relations initiatives are integral to promoting the Massachusetts story across the world.

Here is a recent article resulting from a familiarization tour (FAM) we organized in December 2016 in partnership with Norwegian Airlines. It’s a feature article by Gary Noakes, a journalist with TTG, a trade magazine in the UK & Ireland.

MOTT is grateful for the support of our FAM partners. To learn more about our international PR program and ways to be involved, please contact Maria Speridakos.

Upcoming Events

March 15-20, 2017
The Mexican Navy Tall Ship Cuauhtemoc is visiting Boston on March 15-20. MOTT and other local partners are working with the Mexican Consulate to welcome visiting officials, sailors and cadets and to invite them to the city’s Evacuation Day and St. Patrick’s Day activities.

March 27, 2017
2017 ACT&T Quarterly Meeting
The Advisory Council on Travel & Tourism meets from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum, Columbia Point, Boston, MA 02125.
NOTE: : the two-hour allowance for this ACT&T meeting includes the Annual Election of ACT&T Chair plus a presentation and tour of John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum.

April 24-26, 2017
Discover New England
22nd Annual Tourism Summit & International Marketplace
Omni Mount Washington Resort
Bretton Woods, NH
discovernewengland.org/dne-summit

INDUSTRY

MOTT Recognitions

By The Numbers

What's New

Domestic PR

International PR

 

Bulletin Board:
Use these opportunities to be included for FREE in MOTT’s ongoing promotional efforts.

Pet Friendly Travel
The Domestic PR team is beginning to pitch journalists for pet friendly travel in Massachusetts this year. If you are a pet friendly attraction, hotel, shop or venue interested in supporting MOTT in pet friendly FAMs, please reach out to Shannon Healey

MOTT Flickr
MOTT’s Flickr page features amazing photos from around the Commonwealth. Albums include our 16 tourism regions, celebrations, breweries and wineries, seasonal offerings and more. Please submit your royalty-free images for posting consideration to Phyllis M. Cahaly, along with the photo ID and photo credit.

Culinary Events: Foods, Fairs, and Festivals
Our monthly Culinary Tourism Calendar, featuring foodie fun, fairs and festivals, is a great way to promote your culinary events. We are looking for events from now through July 2017, so send your listings to Phyllis M. Cahaly.

50 Great Things to do Under $50
We are compiling “50 Great Things to do Under $50” in Massachusetts for May/June 2017. If you have an event, exhibit or activity, and the attendance fee is $50 or less for either 2 adults or for 2 adults & 2 kids (12 and under), send details to Phyllis M. Cahaly.

KEEP IN TOUCH:

              

.