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June,
2021
Dear MOTT Partners,
With Reopening Massachusetts now in full flight
effective May 29, MOTT continues to work with our tourism and
business partners across the Commonwealth to welcome back visitors
for the summer season and beyond.
Our recently launched, $1.9 million “Let’s Go Out” marketing
campaign runs through September and promotes in-person dining
experiences at local restaurants. As part of the larger My Local MA
campaign these efforts are geared specifically towards restaurants.
The 59 recipients of the Travel & Tourism Recovery (TTR) grants
are also rolling out their summer marketing campaigns to support
the My Local MA initiative.
The MOTT team is currently reviewing applications for Destination
Development Capital (DDC) grants that will enhance tourism
infrastructure and resources in Massachusetts in the coming months.
Finally, MOTT has launched a new State of Wonder photo contest to
encourage consumers to share their favorite photos. Winners are
eligible for travel and hospitality prizes for capturing the photographic
essence of the Bay State.
Have a great summer and thank you for your partnership and
leadership efforts.
Sincerely,
Keiko Matsudo Orrall
Executive Director
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My
Local MA Campaign Update
Left to right:
Rep. Jon Santiago, Keiko Matsudo Orrall, Chef/Owner Douglass
Williams, LG Karyn Polito, Bob Luz, Governor Charlie Baker, Mayor
Kim Janey, Secretary Mike Kennealy, Sen. Sonia Chang-Diaz
Governor
Baker Announces “Let’s Go Out “Campaign
Gov Charlie Baker, LG Karyn Polito, and Sec Mike Kennealy joined
Mayor Kim Janey along with city and state officials at MIDA
Restaurant in Boston’s South End to support the Let’s Go Out
restaurant marketing campaign. The Restaurant Promotion Commission
initiative was funded at $1.9 mil and will promote marketing
efforts statewide.
Let’s
Go Out
Local restaurants are the cornerstones of downtowns across
Massachusetts. That’s why, we’ve launched a multi-channel statewide
advertising campaign to promote the in-person restaurant dining
experience: Let’s
Go Out. Our campaign messaging is appearing on
billboards, social media, web, and radio. Learn more about the
importance of dining local at VisitMA.com/LetsGoOut/. Read more
about the campaign launch here. To have your restaurant
(or other tourism related business) listed, create a
free account here.
#mylocalMA
on Instagram- 10,000 Hashtag Uses and Counting!
Join the #mylocalMA movement on Instagram. Take a photo at your
favorite restaurant and Let’s
Go Out to celebrate summer! We are highlighting restaurants and other small businesses
and invite you to like, support, and follow @VisitMA. And don’t forget to tag
#mylocalMA for a chance to be featured!
Let’s
Go Out
Next time your local adventures bring you on the road, keep an eye
out for our “Let’s Go Out” My Local MA campaign messaging featured
on MassDOT billboards across MA this month.
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MA
Spotlight
Jim Montgomery
Open
Spaces for All
MOTT talks with Jim Montgomery, Commissioner of the Massachusetts
Department of Conservation & Recreation (DCR) to learn more
about our parks and open spaces ...Read More
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International
Update
New Toronto Service from Boston
starting October 4
Delta recently announced new nonstop service to Toronto
Pearson International Airport (YYZ) from Boston Logan
International Airport (BOS). This three-times-daily service
between BOS and YYZ begins October 4, 2021.
See the official press release here.
New
Reykjavik, Iceland Service from Boston on May 20
Delta is the first U.S. airline to resume service to Iceland, also
adding a new service from Boston Logan International Airport (BOS),
which began on May 20. See the official press release here.
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Industry News
Hynes
Convention Center & Boston Video Tour
Now that Massachusetts is reopening, enjoy this 6-minute video of the Hynes
Convention Center in Boston’s Back Bay, for a reminder
of why Boston remains a prime destination for conventions and
meetings.
The
MassGrown Exchange
The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR)
invites you to visit MassGrown Exchange, a true
Farm-to-Buyer Food and Farm Connection platform. This format
facilitates business-to-business connections for those looking to
sell, donate or purchase Massachusetts crops, seafood, products and
services, and includes job postings too. For more information
contact Richard
LeBlanc.
Attn:
Museums & Zoos
Mass Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) reports that museums, zoos
and other private non-profit facilities may be eligible for federal
funding to ensure safe openings and operations. MEMA is
holding a webinar on June 10 which you are invited to attend.
See webinar detials here. Contact disaster.recovery@mass.gov
with any questions.
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MOTT
Opportunities
Destination
Development Capital Grant Pilot Program
The FY22 Destination Development Capital
(DDC) Grant Program applications are currently in the
review process. 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. Awards will be announced in July 2021, subject to
appropriation.
Media
Outreach
MOTT is preparing its media outreach on summer activities in July
and August. Please contact Michael Quinlin to share ideas or
to get more details.
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 hi-res, royalty and
copyright free images, 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 ’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 June issue of the RTC’s monthly bulletin is available to read here.
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By the
Numbers
Massachusetts Lodging Results: CYs
2020 vs. 2019 and First Four Months of CY 2021
- 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.
- For the first four months of CY 2021
results for the lodging industry in MA show a decline in Rooms
Sold of 10.5%, and a decline in Room Revenue of 30.4%,
compared to same four months of CY 2020. The further decline
in Room Revenue was caused by a 22.3% decline in Room Rates
across the Commonwealth.
MA,
U.S, & Northeastern States - Room Revenue Results: CY 2021,
April vs. CY 2020, April
- Lodging industry Room Revenue losses across
the U.S. totaled $1.4 Billion, a 4% decline in for the first
four months of CY 2021 compared to same period in CY 2020.
- In MA, losses totaled $158 Million, a 30%
decline.
- In the other New England states combined,
there was a 5% INCREASE of $26 Million.
- In New Jersey, losses totaled $36 Million,
a 7% decline; in New York, losses totaled $685 Million, a 36%
decline; in Pennsylvania Room Revenue INCREASED $31 Million,
up 4%.
- 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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