INDUSTRY
By The Numbers
MASSACHUSETTS ROOM OCCUPANCY TAX
For Fiscal Year 2017, the net Massachusetts room occupancy tax
collections of $255.5 million increased by 3.6% from the FY 2016
collections of $246.5 million. The FY 2016 collections were a 7.1%
increase from the FY 2015 collections of $230.2 million.
Year
|
$ (000)
|
% Change
|
FY17
|
255,458.2
|
3.6
|
FY16
|
246,523.9
|
7.1
|
FY15
|
230,198.1
|
9.7
|
LOCAL
OPTION ROOM OCCUPANCY TAX
For Fiscal Year 2017, the net local option room occupancy tax
collections totaled $206.1 million, a 3.5% increase from the FY 2016
total of $199.1 million. The FY 2016 collections were 7.4% more than
the FY 2015 collections of $185.3 million.
Year
|
$ (000)
|
% Change
|
FY17
|
206,129.1
|
3.5
|
FY16
|
199,080.5
|
7.4
|
FY15
|
185,283.5
|
9.6
|
Visit
Massvacation.com
for more information.
International
Just
Announced: Nonstop flights to Brazil in 2018
Massport
has announced that Chile-based LATAM Airlines Group S.A. will begin
offering nonstop flights from Boston’s Logan International Airport to
São Paulo, Brazil in summer 2018. Massachusetts is home to the second
largest Brazilian-born population in the United States, with over
60,000 residents. Read the full
article.
DNE
Launches Refreshed Branding Platform
Discover New England (DNE), the nonprofit cooperative
destination marketing organization that promotes New England tourism
internationally, has completed a comprehensive rebranding process,
positioning New England as a vibrant and relevant destination for
today’s travelers. The new brand identity will be officially launched
and on display starting with World Travel Market in London on
November 6, 2017.
All industry and consumer touch points are being updated, including
social media platforms and DNE’s
website. Read the full press
release.
Learn how you can become involved with Discover
New England.
MOTT
at WTM 2018
MOTT is
participating in UK’s World Travel Market (WTM) in London from
November 6-8, 2017. A three-day business to business event, WTM is
the world’s second largest tourism exhibition focusing on
consumer/travel trade. The UK remains a vital source of international
overseas visitors to Massachusetts, with 215,000 visitors in 2016.
Massachusetts is served by seven daily direct flights from the London
airports of Heathrow and Gatwick plus regional direct service from
Manchester. This air service will be increased in 2018 with new
direct service from Birmingham and London Stansted airports.
Participating Massachusetts tourism businesses include Boston Harbor
Cruises and Omni Hotels. MOTT and Massachusetts businesses will be at
the newly re-branded Discover New England booth.
Domestic Marketing
Honoring
Veterans and MA War Memorials
In honor of Veterans Day on November 11, Massachusetts
joins the nation in paying tribute to those who served in the U.S.
Armed Forces. Historically, November 11, 1918 marked the end of World
War I, and since then it has been an annual day of remembrance and
tribute to U.S. military veterans. MOTT has created a War
Memorial Guide to select memorials throughout the
Commonwealth that honor our departed veterans. In addition, visit massvacation.com
for a full list of veterans sites in Massachusetts.
Thanksgiving
and Plymouth 400
Thanksgiving holds a special place in Massachusetts,
since the first harvest dinner was shared by the Pilgrims and the
Native Wampanoag Indians in the early days of Plymouth Colony. In
2020 Plymouth celebrates its 400th anniversary. The non-profit
organization Plymouth
400 is working to highlight the cultural contributions and
American traditions that began with the interaction of the Wampanoag
and English peoples, a story that significantly shaped the building
of America.
Cruise
Ship Traffic Up in Boston
The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA)
reports that the global cruise industry contributed $486 million to
the Massachusetts economy in 2016, up nearly 10% since 2014.
According to the report, Massport’s Flynn Cruiseport Boston generated
431,000 passenger and crew visits in 2016. Read
more.
The
Big E
The
Big E drew in record numbers this year with overall attendance
of 1,525,553, and 85,019 on Massachusetts Day. MOTT wishes to give a
special thanks to Gene Cassidy of The Big E, the Department of
Agriculture, the regional tourism councils, all of the volunteers,
and especially Mohawk Trail’s Peter Tomyl for helping us make the Big
E a big success.
Sports Office
Upcoming Events
The
Massachusetts Sports Marketing Office 17 in 17 Signature Sporting
Events came to a finale with the 53rd Annual Head of the Charles
Regatta last month. Read about the Charles
Regatta Exhibit at Logan Airport. It’s been another
exciting year for sports in the Commonwealth, and next year should be
even better. Stay tuned for more information on our 2018 Signature
Sporting Events calendar.
November 10-18
Gridiron
Series
Six collegiate football teams, including Boston College and UMass,
compete in three games at Fenway Park.
November 19
The
AIG Fenway #Hurling Classic and Irish Festival
Professional Irish Hurling teams compete in 40-minute Hurling matches
after an Irish festival with food, music and dancing at Fenway Park.
World Cup 2016
The United Bid Committee announced this month that Boston has been
named as one of 32 cities across North America being considered to
serve as the Official Host City for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. See the
full candidate list at
United2026.com.
Film Office
Film Festivals
November
8-20
Boston
Jewish Film Festival
Features, shorts, documentaries, and conversations with visiting
artists. Explore Jewish identity, the current Jewish experience, and
the richness of Jewish culture in a diverse world.
New Film
Daddy's Home 2
Filmed in
Massachusetts in 2016, this highly anticipated sequel to the 2015
break out comedy hit stars Mark Wahlberg, Will Farrell, Mel Gibson
and John Lithgow. Catch
a preview! In theaters November 10.
Find a full schedule of festivals organized by town on the Massachusetts
Film Office website.
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