MOTT Grant Opportunities

• Greater Boston: Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB)
• North of Boston: North of Boston CVB, Greater Merrimack Valley CVB
• South of Boston: SE Massachusetts CVB, See Plymouth
• Cape Cod and the Islands: Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce, Martha’s Vineyard Chamber of Commerce, Nantucket Island Chamber of Commerce
• Central MA: North Central MA, Discover Central MA, MetroWest Tourism and Visitors Bureau
• Western MA: Greater Springfield CVB, Hampshire County Tourism and Visitors Bureau, Franklin County Chamber of Commerce, 1Berkshire, and Mohawk Trail Association

Industry News

Baker-Polito Administration Launches “HireNow” Hiring and Training Employer Grant Program
The Baker-Polito Administration has launched a new hiring and training employer grant program, “HireNow,” to help employers quickly hire and train new workers and get more people back to work. The new program provides eligible employers with a $4,000 per employee grant, which can be used to cover training costs or as a signing bonus for new employees. The program is open to all Massachusetts employers, including for-profit and non-profit entities (excluding federal, state, and municipal governments). Employers can learn more about the program and apply at www.mass.gov/hirenow.
 
Carolina Cooney Selected to Lead Martha’s Vineyard Chamber
The Martha’s Vineyard Chamber of Commerce board of directors has announced their selection of Carolina Cooney of West Tisbury, Martha’s Vineyard, as the Chamber’s new executive director. Cooney’s new role at the Chamber begins in time for the Chamber’s “Celebrate Service” awards at Featherstone Center for the Arts on April 27th. Welcome, Carolina!


2022 Cruise Ship Season
On Monday, April 4, Massport announced its 2022 cruise ship season by welcoming Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Pearl as the first cruise ship of the season. Massport is expecting a robust cruise season this year welcoming 125 ships from 19 cruise lines supporting the local travel and tourism industries. Details here. 


Agricultural Fair Economic Recovery Grant Program: Applications Now Open
MDAR is now accepting applications from Massachusetts nonprofit agricultural fair organizations with 501(c) status that meet the definition of a fair as set forth in this RFR. The Agricultural Fair Economic Recovery Grant Program (AGERGP) is funded at $4 million through the American Rescue Plan (ARPA), to provide COVID-19 economic recovery efforts for Massachusetts Fairs. For complete information on criteria and the RFR application, see here. Deadline is Friday, May 6, 2022. Please contact Fran Pearson with any questions.

National Travel and Tourism Week: May 1-7
National Travel and Tourism Week (NTTW) 2022 celebrates the #FutureOfTravel. The annual celebration of the contributions of the U.S. travel industry spotlights the critical role that travel plays in driving economic growth and building the path forward through the theme Future of Travel. This year’s theme underscores how the travel industry can restore the workforce, help communities recover, foster sustainability, usher in new innovations and reconnect travelers in the U.S. and around the world. Details at ustravel.org/NTTW.
 
Regional Tourism Council Bulletin

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

Upcoming Events

• The Boston Chapter of Hospitality Sales Marketing Association International (HSMAI) holds a Hospitality Industry Job Fair at the Burlington Marriott Hotel on Thursday, April 7. Details here.
• MassEcon’s annual ‘Team Massachusetts Economic Impact Awards’ takes place on Thursday, April 7 at Gillette Stadium. Register here.
• The Mass Lodging Association’s Annual Golf Tournament is Monday, May 2, at Pinehill’s Golf Club in Plymouth. Register here.  
• Here is a calendar of upcoming conventions and meetings from Signature Boston.

MOTT Opportunities

International Updates

• British Airways increased to 3x daily London Heathrow service March 27
• Virgin Atlantic increased to daily London Heathrow service on March 27
• United is starting its new daily London Heathrow service on April 14
• Lufthansa increased to daily Frankfurt service March 27
• Lufthansa increased to daily Munich service March 27
• ITA (Italia Trasporto Aereo) started service to Rome on March 3x weekly service increasing to 5x weekly March 28 and daily May 31. ITA has replaced Alitalia as Italy’s national airline and started flying in 2021
• Level is returning May 1 with service to Barcelona 3x weekly, which has not been served since March 21, 2020
• Swiss increased to 6x weekly Zurich service March 27
• TAP increased to 11x weekly Lisbon service March 27
• SAS returned March 27 with service to Copenhagen 5x weekly, which has not been served since November, 2019
• Icelandair increased to daily Reykjavik service March 27
• El Al returned March 27 with service to Tel Aviv 2x weekly, which has not been served since March 2020

MA Film Office

• 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 February, 2022, the lodging industry in MA continued its upward trend compared to February 2021, with performance continuing to approach the (pre-pandemic) February 2020 levels.
• Rooms Sold were up 58% to 1.2 M in February, 2022 from 0.8 M in February, 2021 (1.4 M in February, 2020).
• Room Revenue increased 114% to $162 M in February, 2022 from $76 M in February, 2021 ($192 M in February, 2020).
• The larger increase in Room Rev v. Rooms Sold was caused by substantial increase in average daily room rate of 36% to $136.68 from $100.82.

• 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.

MOTT Contacts