February 2022
Dear MOTT Partners,
February is family fun month in Massachusetts, especially during School Vacation Week. Check out our 11 downhill ski areas, plus hundreds of hiking and cross-country ski trails, ice-skating rinks, and more. This month is also a great opportunity to celebrate Lunar New Year, Black History Month or Valentine’s Day at a local museum, performing arts venue or restaurant.
Our February MA spotlight features Katie Fox, executive director of Destination Salem, who tells us about winter events, learning from the pandemic and news along the waterfront.
This winter MOTT continues to promote #SkiMass, #MyLocalMA, #VisitMA on social media and visitation to Massachusetts through our Expedia campaign.
Thank you as always for your valued partnership. Here’s to a busy month for our tourism community!
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MOTT Grant Opportunity
The Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development (EOHED) through the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism (MOTT) is committed to helping communities recover from the impact of COVID-19 and contribute to the long-term strength and sustainability of the Commonwealth. Funded at $4 million through the Capital Budget and the Tourism Trust Fund, the competitive FY22 Destination Development Capital (DDC) Grant II Program, will award funds to strengthen the economy of Massachusetts through destination development projects that enhance tourism sustainability and have the potential to increase non-resident visitation.
Any public agency, municipality, or nonprofit organization incorporated in Massachusetts with 501(c)3, 501(c)5, 501(c)6, status from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) that does one of the following: Produces, promotes, or presents tourism attractions and activities for the public; Provides public access to physical collections and exhibits for tourists and meets other eligibility criteria can apply.
Eligible projects will enhance tourism resources and infrastructure and will aid in destination recovery and resiliency. Applications will be accepted for projects that include plans to expand, construct, restore or renovate Massachusetts tourism destinations and attractions. Applicants must demonstrate how the tourism capital project will work to promote the tourism goals of the MA Office of Travel and Tourism and the Regional Tourism Councils. DDC grants are focused on capital improvements with a direct relationship to tourism, and other physical/structural items with a greater than five year lifespan. All projects must be completed by June 30, 2023. DDC guidelines and information is available here.
The Destination Development Grant II Program opened February 1, 2022, with applications due March 31, 2022. Applications must be submitted through MOTT's Online Application Portal. Grant awards will be announced in June, 2022.
Please read the FAQs and attend the Q/A session on Tuesday, March 1 at 10 a.m. To register, please contact Marc Zappulla, cc: Keiko Orrall. If you have a specific question, please include that in your email.
My Local MA Campaign Update
Local Tastes Sweeter
Have you seen our new MassDOT billboard? As your adventures take you around the Commonwealth this winter, be sure to continue to eat local and continue supporting our Massachusetts restaurants. And be sure to share your culinary adventures on social media with #VisitMA #MyLocalMA.
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MA Spotlight
Kate Fox
This month we chat with Kate Fox, head of Destination Salem, a destination marketing organization that promotes Salem to visitors all year round.
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Industry News
Governor Baker Gives Final State of the Commonwealth Address
On January 25, Governor Charlie Baker delivered his final State of the Commonwealth Address to the citizens of Massachusetts, at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston. Here is the full text.
Baker-Polito Administration files its FY 2023 Budget Proposal
On January 26, the Baker-Polito Administration filed its Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) budget proposal, a $48.5 billion plan. Read full details here.
Big E 2022 Applications to Exhibit at the Massachusetts: Now Open
Each year, MDAR invites Massachusetts businesses and organizations to apply for the opportunity to exhibit in the Massachusetts State Exposition Building during The Big E, September 16 – October 2, 2022. It is an opportunity to showcase and sell to over a million attendees that come through the Massachusetts Building. Interested applicants are encouraged to review the Exhibitor Guidelines and Applications here, and submit a completed application by 4 p.m. on Friday, March 11, 2022. Participation options include: 17-day indoor, 17-day outdoor, or up to 10-day porch space.
For more information, please contact Fran Pearson, Building Manager.
Pictured L-R: Rob Costa/Art’s Dune Tours; Patti Lloyd/Cape Cod Chamber/CVB; Stacey Thornton, Greater Boston CVB; Rebecca Shackford, North of Boston CVB; Scott Lewis/Encore and Tomas Tolentino/Fairfield Cape Cod.
ABA Marketplace – January 8 – 11, 2022 in Grapevine, TX
Thank you to the Massachusetts tourism businesses and DMOs who attended the American Bus Association’s 2022 Marketplace from January 8 - 11 in Grapevine, TX. Nearly 100 tour operators and receptive agents stopped by the Massachusetts Booth to learn more about “What’s New” in the Commonwealth and all that we have to offer to our visitors. Delegates distributed MOTT’s Massachusetts Travel Guide and Historic Women Trailblazers of Massachusetts publications, along with guides from all DMOs. Additionally, thank you to those who graciously donated prizes such as overnight stays, gift baskets, museum passes and gift cards for the booth’s “Spin-to-Win” event.
Massachusetts Ski, Winter, + More Campaign
In collaboration with our 11 ski areas and 6 MA tourism regions, MOTT has launched a “Massachusetts Ski, Winter, + More” sponsored story campaign through April 1, 2022, which invites visitors to enjoy a season of snow play by planning their winter getaway to Massachusetts. The #SkiMass campaign highlights all the fun, convenient areas with full resort amenities across the Commonwealth, including embracing the chill with outdoor winter adventures, dining on authentic local cuisine, shopping for unique products by local artisans, staying at a hotel or cozy country inn, or connecting with rich history, and sports history. See the #SkiMass sponsored story campaign landing page to learn more and share your adventures on social media with #SkiMass #VisitMA #MyLocalMA @VisitMA.
Regional Tourism Council Bulletin
The February issue of the RTC’s monthly bulletin is available to read here.
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MOTT Opportunities
Media Outreach
MOTT is preparing its media outreach for Irish Heritage Month, Women’s History Month, Maple Syrup Month and school vacation plans. Please contact Michael Quinlin to share ideas or to get more details.
Spring Listings for ‘50 Great Things to do Under $50’
To list a special deal offered by your organization MOTT’s "50 Under $50" special deals page is, 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 aged 12 and under. We are currently preparing our March/April and May/June 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.
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MA Film Office
February Film Festivals
Pioneer Valley Jewish Film and Arts Festival
February 6 – March 22
Boston Sci-Fi Film Festival
February 16 – 21 (Hybrid -Virtual & In Person)
Boston Baltic Film Festival
February 25 – 27
For a schedule of film festivals in Massachusetts throughout the year, visit MAfilm.org/.
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By the Numbers
Massachusetts Lodging Results: CYs 2021, 2020, 2019 and December
- In MA, for CY 2021, Rooms Sold increased by 59% over CY 2020 (to 16.7 M Rooms Sold from 10.5 M CY 2020). However, that was still 23% lower than the 21.7 M Rooms Sold for CY 2019.
- Room Revenue for CY 2021 increased by 98% over CY 2020 (to $2.8 B from $1.4 B), but still trailed CY 2019 Room Revenue of $4.1 B by 33%.
- The larger increase in Room Revenue compared to Rooms Sold was caused by a significant jump in average daily room rates to $168.87 from $136.09 (up 24%).
- For the month of December 2021, the lodging industry in MA continued its upward trend compared to December 2020, with performance continuing to approach December 2019 levels.
- Rooms Sold were up 90% to 1.3 M in December 2021 from 0.7 M in 2020 (1.4 M in December 2019).
- Room Revenue increased 172% to $180 M in December 2021 from $66 M in 2020 ($198 M in December 2019).
- The larger increase in Room Rev v. Rooms Sold was caused by substantial increase in average daily room rate of 43% to $140.36 from $98.32.
U. S., MA, & Other States - Room Revenue: CYs 2021 v. 2020
- Across the United States, the Lodging Industry Room Revenue in CY 2021 totaled $142.5 Billion, a 66% increase compared to the CY 2020 total of $85.8 Billion.
- In Massachusetts, Room Revenue gains totaled $1.4 Billion to $2.8 Billion from $1.4 Billion, a 98% increase.
- In the other New England states combined, there was a 94% increase (or $1.7 Billion) to $3.6 Billion from $1.9 Billion.
- In New Jersey, gains totaled $0.9 Billion, a 56% increase to $2.6 Billion from $1.7 Billion.
- In New York, Room Revenue was up 79% (or $3.4 Billion) to $7.7 Billion from $4.3 Billion.
- In Pennsylvania Room Revenue increased 73% (or $1.5 Billion) to $3.5 Billion from $2.0 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.
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MOTT Contacts
MA Office of Travel and Tourism staffers are working remotely. Please see contact information:
Phyllis Cahaly, Director of Partnership Marketing, [email protected]
Kevin Clang, Web Manager, [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, Strategic Initiatives, [email protected]
Maria Speridakos, Director of International PR, [email protected]
Marc Zappulla, Grants Coordinator, [email protected]
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