January 2022
Dear MOTT Partners,
We enter 2022 resolved to stay safe and healthy throughout the New Year and to work tirelessly on behalf of our travel and tourism industry.
We are excited about the various grant opportunities to assist the recovery. These include the Travel and Tourism Recovery (TTR) Grants with a deadline of January 19, 2022 and the Destination Development Capital (DDC) Grants which will be released in February.
This winter MOTT continues to promote #SkiMass and #MyLocalMA, plus visitation to Massachusetts through our Expedia campaign. This month’s MA Spotlight features Jon Schaefer of Berkshire East and Catamount Ski Resorts, who has been busy on and off the slopes.
Finally, we’d like to say best wishes to Nancy Gardella, who has stepped down as executive director of Martha's Vineyard Chamber of Commerce & Tourism after 15 years. We appreciate you for your incredible contribution to our industry.
Thank you as always for your valued partnership and here’s to a truly Happy New Year.
Best Regards,
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MOTT Grant Opportunity
FY22 TTR Grant Application Deadline
The application deadline for the FY22 Travel and Tourism Recovery (TTR) Grant Program, is January 19 at 5 p.m. There has been tremendous interest in this competitive grant program, which 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. In its second round and funded at $4 million through the Tourism Trust Fund, the TTR Grant Program will provide funding for creative marketing solutions designed to increase visitation and overnight stays from beyond 50 miles and align with MOTT’s statewide My Local MA campaign. TTR Grant Program guidelines and information are available here.
Applications must be submitted through MOTT’s online application portal. Awards will be announced in March 2022. For any questions, please contact Jere Shea.
My Local MA Campaign Update
Ski Local
Have you seen our new “Ski Local” MassDOT billboard? As your snow adventures take you around the Commonwealth this winter, escape to one of the 11 ski areas in Massachusetts! And be sure to share your adventures on social media with #SkiMass #MyLocalMA.
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International Update
PLAY Airline service added at Logan
PLAY, a low-cost airline operating flights between Iceland and Europe, announced service in the United States, with the first flights to Europe taking off in May 2022 from Boston Logan International Airport (BOS). See press release here.
Industry News
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.
National Plan for Vacation Day
The U.S. Travel Association is celebrating #PlanforVacation Day on Tuesday, January 25 and encouraging state and local tourism groups to participate. The annual campaign is a good way to remind potential tourists to reconnect, recharge and take a break! You can download free a tool kit here.
Regional Tourism Council Bulletin
The January issue of the RTC’s monthly bulletin is available to read here.
Free Admission Throughout January 2022 at The Clark
Visit The Clark Institute in Williamstown throughout January 2022 for free! Free admission is being offered to all museum galleries and special exhibitions, and advance registration is recommended. Visit clarkart.edu to register, and for details on current health and safety protocols.
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MOTT Opportunities
Media Outreach
MOTT is preparing its media outreach for Black History Month and Lunar New Year in February, and for Irish Heritage Month and Women’s History Month in March. Please contact Michael Quinlin to share ideas or to get more details.
Spring Listings for ‘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 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
Belmont World Film
January 14 – 23, 2022
Belmont World Film is an international film series that promotes cross-cultural understanding through film. This year’s series, “Bound by Beliefs,” nine foreign language films from the world’s top film festivals paired with speakers, performances and ethnic cuisine. A special series, “Justice for All,” featuring films about human rights issues, runs June 11-25. The annual Family Festival for children aged 3-12, runs during Martin Luther King Jr. weekend each January.
For a schedule of film festivals in Massachusetts throughout the year, visit MAfilm.org/.
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By the Numbers
Massachusetts Lodging Results: CYTD 2021/2020 through November & November 2021
- In MA, for CYTD 2021 through November, Rooms Sold increased by 57% over the same period in CYTD 2020 (to 15.4 M rooms sold from 9.8 M CYTD 2020). However, that was still 23% lower than the 20.1 M Rooms Sold for CYTD 2019 through November.
- Room Revenue for CYTD through November 2021 increased by 94% over the same period in CY 2020 (to $2.6 B from $1.4 B), but still trailed CYTD 2019 through November Room Revenue of $3.9 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 $171.08 from $138.42 (up 24%).
- For the month of November 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 100% to 1.5 M in November 2021 from 0.7 M in 2020 (1.6 M in November 2019).
- Room Revenue increased 209% (3x) to $228 M in November 2021 from $74 M in 2020 ($275 M in November 2019).
- The larger increase in Room Rev v. Rooms Sold was caused by substantial increase in average daily room rate of 54% to $154.41 from $102.05.
United States, MA, & Other States - Room Revenue: CYTD 2021 vs. 2020, through November
- Across the United States, the Lodging Industry Room Revenue in CYTD 2021 through November totaled $130.1 Billion, a 62% increase compared to the same period in CY 2020 total of $80.2 Billion.
- In Massachusetts, Room Revenue gains totaled $1.2 Billion to $2.6 Billion from $1.4 Billion, a 94% increase.
- In the other New England states combined, there was an 89% increase (or $1.6 Billion) to $3.4 Billion, from $1.6 Billion.
- In New Jersey, gains totaled $0.8 Billion, a 53% increase to $2.4 Billion from $1.6 Billion.
- In New York, Room Revenue was up 57% (or $2.7 Billion) to $6.7 Billion from $4.0 Billion.
- In Pennsylvania Room Revenue increased 69% (or $1.4 Billion) to $3.3 Billion from $1.9 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]
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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