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Early morning, Duxbury                                                                          August 2020

Dear MOTT Partners, 

The spirit of Massachusetts continues to be strong, as we weather the COVID-19 pandemic.  Our tourism community is working tirelessly to maintain safe and healthy protocols as we invite visitors to explore the beauty of our state. 
This month, MOTT is unveiling several exciting initiatives:

• Working with EOHED and other partners, MOTT is launching a new ‘My Local’ marketing campaign to encourage MA residents to buy, eat, and stay locally supporting our local businesses. We have wonderful small businesses that will be highlighted statewide.
• We are rolling out a website refresh this month and changing the URL from massvacation.com to visitma.com.
• And finally, we are issuing a digital booklet, Historic Women Trailblazers of Massachusetts, to celebrate the 100^th anniversary of the 19^th Amendment on August 26, which gave women the right to vote.

We remain committed to defeating COVID-19 and we thank you for your commitment too.  You can stay up to date on the latest Massachusetts news by checking the COVID-19 links below.
On behalf of all of us here at MOTT, please enjoy a safe and restful remainder of summer, and thank you as always for your valued partnership.

Sincerely,

Keiko Matsudo Orrall
Executive Director

Massachusetts Reopening News

• Effective August 1, 2020, all visitors and returning residents entering Massachusetts must follow new travel orders. The Commonwealth has made great progress to slow the spread of COVID-19 and gradually re-open the economy, and all visitors have a responsibility to help us keep transmission levels as low as possible.  See details here.
• For the most up-to-date information on Massachusetts, visit the COVID-19 daily update at mass.gov/covid19-updates.
• MOTT's website has helpful FAQs for visitors coming to Massachusetts.

Industry News

Mayflower II Heads for Home  
The Mayflower II made its historic return to Plymouth Harbor on Monday, August 10, marking the 400^th commemoration of the Pilgrims coming to these shores in 1620.  See details here. 
 
Dine Out Boston Returns  
Dine Out Boston takes place on August 16-21 and 23-28 in 100+ restaurants in Greater Boston.  Thank you to the GBCVB for keeping this cherished tradition alive. See details here. 
 
Massachusetts Celebrates Women Trailblazers
MOTT’s Historic Women Trailblazers digital page celebrates the achievement of women in the Commonwealth.  Stay tuned for the mid-August release of our digital Historic Women Trailblazer’s booklet. 
 
Sales Tax Holiday is Back  
Massachusetts’ annual Sales Tax Holiday the weekend of August 29-30 offers a good opportunity to support Main Street businesses and the local economy.  See FAQs about the Sales Tax Holiday. 
 
The 2020 Big E is Cancelled  
The Eastern States Exposition announced that due to the COVID-19 crisis, this year's BIG E Fair has been cancelled.  Be sure to mark your calendar for the 2021 BIG E Fair: 
September 17-October 3, 2021. See details here.

Massport News

Since Governor Baker announced the Travel Order on July 24, Massport has implemented a multi-pronged communications approach to inform and educate passengers about it. The Authority has posted information on its website and social media channels. Over 500 signs, including more than 200 digital displays, have been posted with a QR code so passengers with smart phones can easily access the Travel Form in their hands. These signs are located in high visibility areas across the airport. Additionally, pre-recorded announcements about the Travel Order are regularly broadcasting on the PA system.

MOTT Offers

Call for Brochures 
Simon/Lee Premium Outlets in Lee, MA, invite you to send them one box of brochures or visitor guides for display at their information centers.  There is no storage or stocking fee so please send your printed tourism information to: Carolyn Edwards, Area General Manager, Simon/Lee Premium Outlets, 17 Premium Outlets Blvd., Lee, MA 01238. For details, contact Carolyn Edwards.  
 
50 Great Things to do Under $50
MOTT’s ’50 Under $50’ special deals page is consistently ranked as one of our Top 5 visited web pages each month.  To list a special deal offered by your organization, the offer must be valid for a two-month duration and the admission of $50 must cover both: 1.) two adults only and 2.) two adults with two children age 12 and under.  We are currently accepting ‘50 Under $50’ offers for September through December 2020. Please send submissions to Phyllis M. Cahaly. 
 
FREE means FREE!
With so many amazing free things to do in Massachusetts, we created a FREE category listing in our online calendar of events at massvacation.com. Now, you can add your organization’s cost-free events to MOTT’s year-round calendars. Just click on ‘submit your listing’ on the bottom of the homepage, and follow the prompts.

MA Film Office

The Berkshire International Film Festival has teamed up with Shakespeare and Company to present The Berkshire Drive-In.  This “Pop-up Drive-in” summer series takes place on the Shakespeare & Company campus, 70 Kemble Street in Lenox, Thursday through Sunday evenings, from July 23 to September 13, 2020. The series presents 40 curated films including Sundance hits, Shakespeare-themed films, family films and award-winning animated films. 
For information, see here.

MOTT Contacts

MA Office of Travel and Tourism staffers are working remotely, see contact information:

John Alzapiedi, Web Manager, john.alzapiedi@mass.gov

Phyllis Cahaly, Director of Partnership Marketing, phyllis.cahaly@mass.gov

Tony D’Agostino, Research Director, tony.dagostino@mass.gov

Daniela De Caro-Heavey, Special Projects Manager, daniela.decaro@mass.gov

Keiko Matsudo Orrall, Executive Director, keiko.m.Orrall@mass.gov

Michael Quinlin, Director, Commonwealth Marketing Office michael.quinlin@mass.gov

Maria Speridakos, Director of International PR, maria.speridakos@mass.gov

Marc Zappulla, Grants Coordinator, Marc.Zappulla@mass.gov

By the Numbers

Massachusetts Lodging Performance: CY 2020 vs. CY 2019 

• The first 2 months of CY 2020 saw MA lodging performance far outperform the U.S. averages. However, the pandemic has negatively impacted lodging performance in MA much more than the rest of the U.S.
• The first 2 months of CY 2020, the Commonwealth saw the lodging industry increases in both Rooms Sold (Demand) and Room Revenue, of 7%.
• During the same period, the U.S. lodging average increases were under 4% both in Demand and Room Revenue.
• CY 2020 through June has seen Demand in MA decrease by 50%, compared to a 40% decline across the U.S.
• Room Revenue in MA declined by just over 60%, while the U.S. average was down 50%.