Island Creek Oysters, Duxbury September, 2021
Dear MOTT Partners,
As we bask in the final days of summer and set our sights on a colorful fall, the Massachusetts tourism community takes immense pride in what we offer to visitors from one season to the next and throughout the year.
Fall foliage, apple picking and Halloween are at the top of our list in the weeks ahead, and don’t forget The Big E Fair in West Springfield, which runs September 17 to October 3 and showcases the best of Massachusetts and all six New England States.
MOTT’s ‘Let’s Go Out’ restaurant promotion campaign has been a resounding success this summer, outperforming all industry benchmarks. We look forward to continuing the My Local MA campaign through the fall, promoting small businesses across the Commonwealth. MOTT is also working with Expedia on a statewide campaign to support our hotel industry.
This month’s MA Spotlight features Annie Le, who tells us about the newly-designated Little Saigon Cultural District highlighting Boston’s Vietnamese-American community.
Thank you for following Massachusetts’ COVID-19 regulations, based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Enjoy the change of season, and please know how much we appreciate your valuable partnership as we continue to promote all that Massachusetts has to offer.
Sincerely,
Keiko Matsudo Orrall
Executive Director |
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My Local MA Campaign Update
Think you know Massachusetts?
Sure, Massachusetts is known for seafood, history, and winning sports teams, but there’s so much more to discover across the Commonwealth. Check out this video that was recently added to our website!
Let’s Go Out Campaign TV Spots
Our ‘Let’s Go Out’ campaign TV spots are live and appearing on local & national news programming, high-profile sports shows and specials, and primetime programming through the end of this month. Check them out here!
Let’s Go Out Toolkit
Our ready-to-use resources are for restaurants and foodies alike. Stock your restaurant with vibrant, printable coloring pages, window flyers, and more.
Download these kits to share the love through social media and show support in your email signature with ‘Let’s Go Out designs.’ For this and more, go to visitma.com/letsgoout.
Let's Go Out For the Stories
Our ‘Let’s Go Out’ statewide ad campaign messaging is appearing on billboards, social media, web, television and radio! Learn more about the importance of dining local at VisitMA.com/LetsGoOut/. To have your restaurant (or other tourism related business) listed, create a free account here.
Seen and Heard: #mylocalMA on Instagram- 14,900 Uses and Counting
Join the #mylocalMA movement on Instagram. Massachusetts has amazing places for everyone to enjoy. Take a photo at your favorite spot celebrating the start of fall! Use the #mylocalMA hashtag, just like @travelikealocalma did, highlighting local sunflower fields that are still open across MA! We invite you to like, support and follow @VisitMA.
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MA Spotlight
Annie Le
Little Saigon
MOTT talks to Annie Le, President of Boston Little Saigon, about the newest cultural district in Boston’s Dorchester neighborhood....Read More
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International Update
European Union Update
The European Union has removed the U.S. from its safe travel list because of rising coronavirus infections there, but member countries will keep the option of allowing fully vaccinated U.S. travelers in.
Canada Update
On August 9, Canada began allowing entry to fully vaccinated U.S. tourists. The U.S. is maintaining its existing land border restrictions on non-essential Canadian travelers until at least September 21, citing the ongoing spread of the Delta variant of COVID-19.
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Industry News
The Big E Opens in 8 Days
The BIG E Eastern States Exposition New England Fair is gearing up for an exciting 17 days and opens on Friday, September 17. Don’t miss this traditional fall classic which offers food, fun and entertainment for the entire family. Be sure to stop by MOTT’s brand new Visitor Information Kiosk located across from the main entrance to the Massachusetts Building on the Avenue of States. Come visit with MOTT on Massachusetts Day: Thursday, September 23.
Omni Boston Seaport Hotel
Congratulations to the Omni Boston Seaport Hotel, which held a ribbon cutting on September 8 to formally open the city’s newest hotel, attended by Governor Charlie Baker, public officials and leaders from the hospitality and tourism industries. With 1,054 guestrooms, seven unique dining outlets, a premium full-service spa and a rooftop outdoor pool, the Omni Boston Seaport Hotel is directly across from the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center and will be an important asset to the convention industry for years to come.
2022 Discover New England Summit Cancelled
After careful consideration, the board of directors and staff at Discover New England (DNE) have made the decision to cancel the Discover New England Summit planned for May 1-3, 2022 at Sunday River in Newry, Maine.
The Summit takes extensive planning and financial commitment months in advance of the event. With continued uncertainty regarding the ongoing impact of COVID-19 and the uncertainty of international travel in the near term, they felt it was in everyone’s best interest to cancel now.
DNE’s commitment to the international travel market remains strong. They are dedicated to working with their overseas vendors, Brand USA and US Travel to continue to position New England as a must-visit destination with our target markets.
DNE will be keeping us posted on virtual events and webinars they will be offering throughout the year. Be sure to sign up for updates here.
Publication News
The Massachusetts Travel Guide has been updated, and will make its debut at The Big E this month. The Guide is lighter, brighter and is brimming with beautiful new regional photography. Also available at the Massachusetts Booth at The Big E, will be the Historic Women Trailblazers of Massachusetts Guide, produced last year in commemoration of the 100th Anniversary of the signing of the 19th Amendment. Both publications will be posted later this month on MOTT’s digital guides page.
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MOTT Opportunities
Media Outreach
MOTT is preparing its media outreach on fall foliage, agritourism and Halloween activities. 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’ for the November & December holiday 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 September issue of the RTC’s monthly bulletin is available to read here.
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MA Film Office
Film Festivals
Martha’s Vineyard International Film Festival
September 7 – 12
Newburyport Documentary Film Festival
September 17 – 19
Boston Film Festival
September 23- 27
Boston Latino International Film Festival
September 24 – October 3
For a schedule of film festivals in Massachusetts this month and throughout the year, visit MAfilm.org/.
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By the Numbers
Massachusetts Lodging Results: CYs 2020 vs. 2019 & CY 2021 Qs 1 & 2 and July
- The Lodging Industry in MA started off Calendar Year 2020 with substantial gains over CY 2019. However, ultimately for Calendar Year 2020, Rooms Sold decreased 48% and Room Revenue dropped 65% compared to CY 2019.
- For Q1 of CY 2021 Q1 when compared toQ1 of CY 2020, the lodging industry in MA saw a decline in Rooms Sold of 31.1% to 2.4 M from 3.5 M, and a decline in Room Revenue of 50.5% to $240 Million from $486 Million. The further decline in Room Revenue was caused by a 28.2% decrease in Room Rates across Massachusetts.
- For Q2 of CY 2021, the lodging industry in MA showed significant increases over the same period in CY 2020. Rooms Sold increased 160% to 3.9 M from 1.5 M and Room Revenue increased 279% to $573 Million from $151 Million. The additional increase in Room Revenue was caused by a 29% increase in Room Rates.
- For July 2021, the lodging industry in MA continued its upward trend compared to July 2020. Rooms Sold were up 112% to 1.9 M from 898 K and Room Revenue increased 158.6% to $402 M from $156 M. The larger increase in Room Revenue was caused by a 22% Increase in Room Rates across the Commonwealth.
  United States, Massachusetts & Northeastern States - Room Revenue Increases:
CYTD 2021 vs 2020 through July
- Across the United States, Lodging industry Room Revenue gains in CYTD 2021 through July totaled just under $75 Billion, a 47% increase compared to the same period in CY 2020 total of $51 Billion.
- In Massachusetts, Room Revenue gains totaled $423 Million to $1.2 Billion, a 53% increase.
- In the other New England states combined, there was a 79% increase of $755 Million to $1.7 Billion.
- In New Jersey, gains totaled $403 Million, a 44% increase to $1.3 Billion.
- In the state of New York, Room Revenue was up 20% ($540 Million) to $3.3 Billion; in Pennsylvania Room Revenue increased 59% ($653 Million) to $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.
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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]
Maria Speridakos, Director of International PR, [email protected]
Marc Zappulla, Grants Coordinator, [email protected]
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