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December, 2021
 
Dear MOTT Partners,
 
December heralds the joyous Massachusetts holiday season, when family and friends gather, visitors enjoy our holiday lights and cultural festivities and all of us take pause to reflect on all that is good in the world.  

On December 1, a new round of Travel and Tourism Recovery (TTR) grants was announced by the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development (EOHED) through Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism (MOTT). Applications are due January 19, 2022. Read more information below.
 
Shopping is an important feature of the holiday season, and we appreciate your continued enthusiasm for our MyLocalMA initiative, which supports family-owned stores, Main Streets retailers and small businesses in rural areas.
 
This month’s MA Spotlight features Paul Niedzwiecki, CEO of the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce, who talks to us about off-season marketing, the blue economy and the outlook for 2022.
 
We’d like to offer our congratulations and sincere thanks to Executive Director Ann Marie Casey at the North of Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau, who is leaving after nearly nine years to serve as Chief of Staff for Amesbury Mayor Kassandra Gove. Thanks for your amazing leadership and best wishes Ann Marie.

Thank you as always for your valued partnership and Happy Holidays to all.

 
Best Regards,        

Keiko Matsudo Orrall
Executive Director

My Local MA Campaign Update


My Local MA Press Conference with Governor Baker, Lieutenant Governor & Secretary Kennealy
Did you happen to catch the My Local MA Press Conference? As people are getting their holiday shopping plans together, Gov. Charlie Baker, Lieutenant Governor Polito and EOHED Secretary Kennealy toured small businesses on Monday, November 22. One stop included Michelson’s Shoes in Needham. “There are tremendous opportunities for people to shop local, to eat local, to dine local, to buy local, and to recognize and understand that when you shop, eat, dine local, you’re supporting your neighbors, your colleagues, and your friends and folks who are a part of the communities that you live and you work in,” Governor Baker said.



Shop and Gift Local
When you do your holiday shopping, support small businesses. Local is jollier! Find thoughtful, unique gifts for friends and family at MA small businesses this holiday season. And check out our Holiday Toolkit for these printable gift tags and more resources to spread local holiday cheer.



Seen and Heard: #mylocalMA on Instagram- 18,800 Uses and Counting
Join the #mylocalMA movement on Instagram. Massachusetts has amazing places for everyone to enjoy. Take a photo at your favorite spot and use the #mylocalMA hashtag, just like @davidlong3653 did, highlighting the timeless late fall sunset in Cape Cod. We invite you to like, support and follow @VisitMA.
 
MA Spotlight

Paul Niedzwiecki

MOTT talks to Cape Cod Chamber CEO Paul Niedzwiecki about tourism on the Cape.

Industry News

Regional Tourism Council Bulletin

The December issue of the RTC’s monthly bulletin is available to read here.   

41st Annual Senior Conference hosted by Senator Jamie Eldridge
MOTT is pleased announce that it will once again participate in Senator Eldridge’s Senior Conference on Thursday, December 9. This informative conference covers a variety of interesting topics for seniors – everything from banking to healthcare to entertainment. This year’s conference is virtual, and an educational and fun presentation on tourism in Massachusetts is being presented by Phyllis M. Cahaly. Register here for access to the Zoom link.
 
MassTrails Funding Opportunities
See here for upcoming MassTrails funding opportunities!

MOTT Opportunities
FY22 Travel and Tourism Recovery Grant Program: Now Open
The FY22 Travel and Tourism Recovery (TTR) Grant Program, is now open. Funded at $4 million through the Tourism Trust Fund, the TTR Grant Program is the implementation of FY22 funding by the MA Legislature to strengthen the economy of Massachusetts through the development and enhancement of the state’s tourism industry. TTR Grants are dedicated to marketing campaigns and initiatives that increase consumer spending, support local businesses, and advance communities’ COVID-19 economic recovery efforts in Massachusetts. The grant will provide funding for creative marketing solutions that aid in the recovery and align with MOTT’s statewide My Local MA campaign.

Applications for this competitive funding grant will be accepted through MOTT’s online application portal from December 1, 2021 through January 19, 2022 at 5PM. Awards will be announced in March 2022.  

For more information on the TTR Grant Program application process, guidelines, frequently asked questions, and to apply click here.

A TTR Grant Program Q&A session will take place via Zoom on December 15, 2021 at 10AM. RSVP to Jere Shea, Director of Strategic Initiatives. Further Zoom information to follow.

For any questions, please contact Jere Shea


Media Outreach
MOTT is preparing its media outreach on New Year’s events as well as winter and SkiMA activities. Please contact Michael Quinlin to share ideas or to get more details.

Holiday Listings: 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 under $50 (so up to $49.99, tax included) and cover BOTH CATEGORIES: 1.) admission for two adults and 2.) admission for two adults with two children age 12 and under. We are currently preparing our January/February 2022 and March/April 2022 versions, so please send your submissions for consideration 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 hi-res, royalty, and copyright-free images, please send to Phyllis M. Cahaly for consideration. Be sure to include the name of the photo, the location (city/town), and the photography credit. 
 
FREE means FREE!
With so many amazing FREE things to do in Massachusetts, we’ve created a FREE category listing in our online calendar of events on visitma.com. Be sure to add your organization’s cost-free events to MOTT’s year-round calendars. Get listed here.
MA Film Office
For a schedule of film festivals in Massachusetts this month and throughout the year, visit MAfilm.org/.
By the Numbers
Massachusetts Lodging Results: CYTD 2021/2020 through October & October 2021
  • The Lodging Industry in MA started off Calendar Year (CY) 2020 with substantial gains over CY 2019. Ultimately for CY 2020, Rooms Sold decreased 48% and Room Revenue dropped 65% compared to CY 2019.
  • In MA for CYTD 2021 through October, rooms sold increased by 54% over the same period in CY 2020 (to 13.9 M rooms sold from 9.1 M). However, that was still 26% lower than the 18.7 M rooms sold during CYTD 2019 through October.
  • RevPar (Revenue Per Available Room) for CYTD through October 2021 increased by 71% over the same period in CY 2020 (to $89.95 from $52.52), but still trailed CYTD 2019 through October RevPar of $136.60 by 35%.
  • The larger increase in RevPar compared to rooms sold was caused by a significant jump in average daily room rates to $172.34 from $141.22 (up 22%).
  • For the month of October 2021, the lodging industry in MA continued its upward trend compared to CY 2020 with performance continuing to approach CY 2019 levels.
  • Rooms Sold were up 89% to 1.9 M in October 2021 from 2.0 M in 2020 (2.1 M in 2019).
  • RevPar increased 284% (nearly 3x) to $138.11 in October 2021, from $48.28 in 2020 ($157.67 October 2019).
  • The larger increase in RevPar v. rooms sold caused by substantial increase in average daily room rate of 65% to $204.42 from $124.20.


United States, MA, & Northeastern States - Room Revenue Increases: CYTD 2021 vs 2020, through October
  • Across the United States, the Lodging Industry Room Revenue in CYTD 2021 through October totaled $117.9 Billion, a 59% increase compared to the same period in CY 2020 total of $74.4 Billion.
  • In Massachusetts, Room Revenue gains totaled $1.1B to $2.4 Billion from $1.3 Billion, an 88% increase.
  • In the other New England states combined, there was an 84% increase of $1.4 Billion to $3.1 Billion, from $1.7 Billion.
  • In New Jersey, gains totaled $0.7 Billion, a 49% increase to $2.2 Billion from 1.5 Billion.
  • In New York, Room Revenue was up 55% ($2.1 Billion) to $5.9 Billion from $3.8 Billion, and in Pennsylvania Room Revenue increased 66% ($1.1 Billion) to $2.9 Billion from $1.8 Billion.
  • In all of the Regions noted above, the Room Revenue increases were driven by increases in both Rooms Sold and Room Rates. However, the percentage increases in Rooms Sold were substantially higher than the Room Rate increases.
MOTT Contacts
MA Office of Travel and Tourism staffers are working remotely. Please see contact information:

Phyllis Cahaly, Director of Partnership Marketing, [email protected]

Tony D’Agostino, Research Director, [email protected]

Daniela De Caro-Heavey, Special Projects Manager, [email protected]

Keiko Matsudo Orrall, Executive Director, [email protected]

Michael Quinlin, Director, Commonwealth Marketing Office, [email protected]

Jere Shea, Director of Strategic Initiatives, [email protected]

Maria Speridakos, Director of International PR, [email protected]

Marc Zappulla, Grants Coordinator, [email protected]
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