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May, 2021
Dear MOTT Partners,
Spring is bringing great optimism and excitement as
we begin to see brighter days ahead. With flowers blooming and
outdoor activities in abundance, we welcome the reopening of
Massachusetts.
The My Local MA movement is going
strong, and we are gaining new partners and support every day. It’s
been great to meet with so many stakeholders across the
Commonwealth to highlight the campaign. You are making a difference
in our communities as you eat, shop and stay local.
This year will recognize the “Power of Travel” during National Travel and Tourism Week.
Massachusetts travel and tourism professionals are playing an
important role in bringing back our vibrant industry!
Thank you for your partnership and your leadership efforts.
Sincerely,
Keiko Matsudo Orrall
Executive Director
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Massachusetts
Reopening News
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My
Local MA Campaign Update
#mylocalMA
on Instagram
Join the #mylocalMA movement on Instagram by posting a photo and
tagging #mylocalMA. From local grocery stores, to restaurants or
craft specialty stores, small businesses have been supporting @VisitMA by liking and sharing
posts. We are highlighting small businesses, and
invite you to like, support, and follow @VisitMA.
Have
you shared your story?
Businesses are joining the My Local MA movement by sharing their
story. The stories feature can be found on lovemylocalMA.com. Submit your story for a chance to
be featured on our social media campaign and in our e-newsletter.
Read and be inspired by the strength and resilience of our small
business community.
My
Local MA Campaign Billboards
Next time your local adventures bring you on the road, keep an eye
out for our “BBQ Local” My Local MA campaign messaging featured on
MassDOT billboards across MA this month.
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MA
Spotlight
Maryanne Burke
Pitching
MA Abroad
Senior International Trade Specialist Maryanne Burke covers the
waterfront for the International Trade Administration when
promoting Massachusetts to the global community. ...Read More
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International
Update
JetBlue recently announced that it has selected
Vancouver as it first Canadian destination with new service
connecting Vancouver International Airport (YVR) to Boston Logan
International Airport (BOS) seasonally, starting in summer 2022. See the official press release here.
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Destination Development
Capital Grant Pilot Program
The FY22 Destination Development Capital
(DDC) Grant Program is a competitive grant program
funded at $2,000,000 through the Capital Budget, subject to
appropriation. This pilot program will award funds to strengthen
the Massachusetts economy through destination development projects
that enhance tourism recovery, support the statewide My Local MA
campaign, and have the potential to increase non-resident
visitation. Applications will be accepted for projects that include
plans to expand, construct, restore or renovate Massachusetts
tourism destinations and attractions. The grant process opened on
April 20, 2021 with applications due May 21, 2021.
Grant awards will be announced in July 2021, subject to
appropriation. Projects have a 1:1 match, and must be completed by
June 30, 2022.
There will be a second Q&A session on Tuesday, May 18 at 10:00
am. Please RSVP to Marc
Zappulla.
National
Travel and Tourism Week- May 2-8, 2021
The U.S. Travel Association’s National Travel and Tourism Week
(NTTW) is an annual tradition for the U.S. travel community. It’s a
time when travel and tourism professionals across the country unite
to celebrate the value travel holds for our economy, businesses and
personal well-being. This year, NTTW will recognize the “Power
of Travel” and the industry’s role in bringing back our
vibrant communities, restoring the U.S. economy, rebuilding our
workforce and reconnecting America. Read more here.
Join
Discover New England (DNE) for a Free Webinar Series
Discover New England (DNE) will present the first in a series of
free webinars on Thursday,
May 13 at 10:30 am. Scott Johnson of Travel Market
Insights, will present the latest research and information on
international travel to the region. Registration is now open for International
Tourism Outlook for New England.
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MOTT
Opportunities
Media
Outreach
MOTT is preparing its media outreach on Memorial Day, as well as
early summer activities. Please contact Michael
Quinlin to share ideas or to get more details.
Made in
Massachusetts
The phrase ‘Made in Massachusetts’ refers to a strong local brand
that embodies quality, uniqueness, popularity and very often,
iconic status. Do you have a product or company Made in
Massachusetts? If so, please send us details and we can
promote it in our marketing materials to residents and visitors
alike. Please send your submissions to Phyllis
M. Cahaly.
Call
for Photography
MOTT is always on the lookout for year-round stunning tourism
photography of Massachusetts to share on our social sites. If you
would like to submit some of your favorite royalty and copyright
free images, especially pictures featuring safety protocols such as
masked employees/customers and social-distancing, please send to Phyllis M. Cahaly for
consideration. Please include the name of the photo, the location
(city/town) and the photography credit.
50
Great Things to do Under $50
MOTT is currently accepting listings for MOTT’s ’50 Under $50’ July/August
and September/October 2021 editions. Here’s the criteria: the offer
must be under $50 (so up to $49.99, tax included) and cover BOTH:
1.) admission for two adults and 2.) admission for two adults with two
children age 12 and under. Please send your submissions for
consideration to Phyllis M. Cahaly.
Regional
Tourism Council Bulletin
The May issue of the RTC’s monthly bulletin is available to read here.
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MA Film
Office
Film
Festivals
May 6 – 13
ReelAbilities
Boston Disabilities Film Festival
Films about the lives of people with disabilities from a variety of
communities.
May 6 – 16
Independent
Film Festival of Boston
Showcases the best independent films from around the world — a mix
of features, documentaries, and shorts. Panels and post-screen
parties provide the opportunity to meet the directors, producers,
and actors.
For a schedule of film festivals in Massachusetts this month and
throughout the year, visit MAfilm.org/.
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By the
Numbers
Massachusetts
Lodging Results: CYs 2020 vs. 2019 and First Quarter CY 2021
- The Lodging Industry in MA started off CY
2020 with substantial gains over 2019. Sharp declines
caused by the COVID-19 Pandemic followed for the remainder of
2020.
- For the months of January/February 2020,
Rooms Sold and Room Revenue increased by 7-8%, compared to the
same two months in 2019.
- However, during the remaining 10 months
(March-December), Rooms Sold decreased by just over 59% and
Room Revenue decreased by 71%.
- The much sharper decline in Room Revenue
was caused by a 30% decline in Room Rate for those 10 months
in 2020 compared to same period in 2019.
- First Quarter CY 2021 results for the
lodging industry in MA show a decline in Rooms Sold of 31%,
and a decline in Room Revenue of 51%, compared to First
Quarter CY 2020. The further decline in Room Revenue was
caused by a 28% decline in Room Rates across the Commonwealth.
MA,
U.S, & Northeastern States - Room Revenue Results: Q1 CY 2021
vs. Q1 CY 2020
- Lodging industry Room Revenue losses across
the U.S. totaled $9.0 Billion, a 29% decline in Q1 CY 2021
compared to Q1 CY 2020.
- In MA, losses totaled $246 Million, a 51%
decline.
- In the other New England states combined,
losses totaled $94 Million, a 19% decline.
- In New Jersey, losses totaled $140 Million,
a 30% decline; in New York, losses totaled $892 Million, a 52%
decline; in Pennsylvania, losses totaled $152 Million, a 24%
decline.
- The higher percentage losses occurred in
states (MA & NY) where the largest concentration of Rooms
Revenue comes from urban areas.
- In MA & NY, between 60% and 70% of each
state’s Room Revenue originates in the Greater Boston and New
York City areas respectively.
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MOTT
Contacts
MA Office of Travel and Tourism staffers are working remotely.
Please 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
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