March 2022
Dear MOTT Partners,
March is an exciting month in Massachusetts, as we celebrate Women's History, Irish Heritage and the Maple Syrup season. Plus, Saturday, March 20 marks the beginning of spring, always a cause for celebration!
Our March MA spotlight features tourism industry leader Martha Sheridan, president & CEO of Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau, who shares seasonal marketing campaigns, the rebounding meetings industry and Dine Out Boston.
See updates below on MOTT’s Travel and Tourism Recovery (TTR) and Destination Development Capital (DDC) grant programs, and the latest data on lodging and room revenue.
The #MyLocalMA movement continues to grow as people across the Commonwealth embrace the buy, stay, eat local message to encourage full recovery for our small businesses.
Thank you as always for your valued partnership and here’s to a busy month for our tourism community.
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MOTT Grant Opportunities
FY22 TTR Grant Application Review Underway
MOTT received a strong response for the FY22 Travel and Tourism Recovery (TTR) Grant with applications from across the Commonwealth. Submissions are currently under review, and awards will be announced this month. Funded at $4,000,000 through the Tourism Trust Fund, TTR Grants are dedicated to marketing projects that increase consumer spending, support local businesses, and advance communities’ COVID-19 economic recovery efforts in Massachusetts. Please contact Jere Shea with any questions.
FY22 Destination Development Capital (DDC) Grant II Program: Applications due March 31
The Destination Development Capital (DDC) Grant II Program opened February 1, 2022, with applications due March 31, 2022. Applications must be submitted through MOTT's Online Application Portal, and Grant awards will be announced in June 2022. Funded at $4 million through the Capital Budget and the Tourism Trust Fund, the competitive DDC Grant 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. All projects must be completed by June 30, 2023. Additional DDC guidelines and information is available.
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My Local Campaign Update
Searching for Local Talent
Interested in having your photography or footage featured in our summer marketing campaign? Send us a link to your portfolio! Our team is searching for high-resolution photography and videography capturing summertime moments in MA. Go to VisitMA.com/OpenCall to learn more! Submissions are due Monday, March 7.
The Luck of the Local
Have you seen our new MassDOT billboard? As your adventures take you around the Commonwealth this spring, be sure to continue buying local and supporting our Massachusetts small businesses. And be sure to share your adventures on social media with #VisitMA #MyLocalMA.
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MA Spotlight
Martha Sheridan
This month we chat with Greater Boston Convention and Visitors Bureau President & CEO Martha Sheridan.
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Industry News
Mass Convention Center Authority
The Boston Travel Show takes place at the Hynes Convention Center in Back Bay on March 5-6, while the Seafood Expo takes place at Boston Convention & Exhibition Center in the Seaport District on March 13-15. Get the details.
Big E 2022 Applications to Exhibit at the Massachusetts: Upcoming deadline- March 11
Applications to showcase and sell your Massachusetts products at the 2022 BIG E from September 16 – October 2, 2022 are due by 4 p.m. on Friday, March 11. Interested applicants can apply for a spot in the Massachusetts Building. For more information, please contact Fran Pearson, Building Manager.
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 March issue of the RTC’s monthly bulletin is available to read.
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MOTT Opportunities
Media Outreach
MOTT is preparing its media outreach for spring activities and for April vacation. Please contact Michael Quinlin to share ideas or to get more details.
Call for Listings: ‘50 Great Things to do Under $50’
To list a special deal offered by your organization on MOTT’s 50 Under $50 special deals page, the offer must be under $50 (so up to $49.99, tax included) and cover BOTH CATEGORIES:
1.) Admission for 2 adults, and
2.) Admission for 2 adults with 2 children aged 12 and under.
We are currently preparing our May/June and July/August 2022 versions, so please send your submissions for consideration to Phyllis M. Cahaly.
Welcome (Back) Nancy Gardella
The Board of Directors of the North of Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau recently announced the appointment of Nancy Gardella as their new Executive Director. Nancy spent the last 15 years as the Regional Tourism Council Executive Director at Martha’s Vineyard, and we’re glad to have her back in this capacity. Congratulations!
New Home for the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce
With the assistance of a 2021 MOTT Travel & Tourism Recovery Grant, the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce recently relocated their offices to Historic Deerfield. Soon they will be creating a new and improved Visitor Information Center at this location and will be developing a welcoming space to feature material and information highlighting all the adventure, cultural opportunities and recreation that Franklin County has to offer. Visit the new location at 79 Old Main Street, Deerfield.
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.
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International Updates
ITA Airways
On March 2, ITA Airways launched a new nonstop service between Rome’s Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport to Boston’s Logan International Airport. This service runs Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, and will increase to 5 days in April, and then to daily flights from June to September. Learn more.
Aer Lingus
The Aer Lingus Dublin – Boston route will return to a double-daily service on March 14, while the Aer Lingus Shannon – Boston route will recommence service on March 28, offering greater options for those traveling from the South and West of the country. Additionally, Delta Air Lines resumed Dublin – Boston flights on February 28, offering consumers enhanced choice on the route. Learn more.
Condor
German leisure airline Condor announced 3 entirely new routes to its network, including a Frankfurt – Boston route, starting this summer 3 days a week. For additional information, read the press release.
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MA Film Office
Boston Underground Film Festival
March 23 – 27
Boston Jewish Film Festival
March 24 – 30
Salem Film Fest
March 24 – April 3
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 2019, 2020, 2021 & January 2022
- In MA, for CY 2021, Rooms Sold increased by 59% over CY 2020 (to 16.7 M Rooms Sold from 10.5 M in 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 January 2022, the lodging industry in MA continued its upward trend compared to January 2021, with performance continuing to approach the (pre-pandemic) January 2020 levels
- Rooms Sold were up 52% to 1.1 M in January 2022 from 0.7 M in January 2021 (1.3 M in January 2020)
- Room Revenue increased 98% to $138 M in January 2022 from $69 M in January 2021 ($186 M in January 2020)
- The larger increase in Room Rev v. Rooms Sold was caused by substantial increase in average daily room rate of 32% to $126.26 from $95.96
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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