Farmers' Market, Boston
June 2022
Dear MOTT Partners,
With spring in full bloom and summer waiting in the wings, June is shaping up to be a vibrant month for the Massachusetts tourism community.
In May, we celebrated the TTR grant recipients in Plymouth with EOHED Secretary Mike Kennealy, and the official opening of the cruise ship season with Massport. See pictures below.
This month we launched our out-of-state marketing campaign showcasing Massachusetts as a premiere travel destination for out-of-state visitors. Head on over to VisitMA.com to see our new campaign-related homepage.
Additionally, over 50 Massachusetts delegates traveled to Orlando this month to participate in IPW 2022, a conference and trade show for international travel and tourism. Learn more below.
Our MA spotlight this month features Carolina Cooney, the newly appointed executive director of Martha’s Vineyard Chamber of Commerce, who brings entrepreneurial and marketing expertise to her new role promoting the iconic island to visitors.
Thank you as always for your valued partnership and here’s to a successful spring and summer tourism season in Massachusetts.
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MOTT Grant Opportunities
Baker-Polito Administration Celebrates $4 Million in Travel & Tourism Recovery Grants
Secretary Mike Kennealy and Director Keiko Matsudo Orrall were joined by Representatives Matt Muratore, Kathleen LaNatra, and Kipp Diggs and Senator Susan Moran along with other state and local officials to celebrate a total of $4 million in awards to 80 tourism organizations, chambers of commerce, and municipalities as part of the Travel and Tourism Recovery (TTR) Grant Program.
The awards were funded from the TTR Grant Pilot Program and are dedicated to marketing projects that support the My Local MA campaign, enhance tourism recovery, and have the potential to increase non-resident visitation. The program’s goal is to strengthen the Massachusetts economy through the development and enhancement of the state’s tourism industry. The TTR celebration took place at the Plymouth Center for the Arts, which received a $55,000 award to promote increased tourism to Plymouth this spring.
"Our tourism and hospitality industries are key drivers of economic activity in the Commonwealth and this program provides targeted support for initiatives that accelerate these industries’ progress toward recovery,” said Governor Charlie Baker. "Recognizing the pandemic’s impact on these industries, we are excited to continue our support for their recovery through this important grant program."
View the full list of grant recipients.
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My Local Campaign Update
Be on the lookout for the June MassDOT My Local MA billboards. They show up across the state and remind people to make local memories this summer by eating, shopping and staying local. Each one of us can play a part to keep our Massachusetts small businesses thriving. Share your memories and join the My Local MA movement on social media using with #VisitMA and #MyLocalMA.
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MA Spotlight
Our MA Spotlight for June is Carolina Cooney, the new Executive Director for the Martha’s Vineyard Chamber of Commerce.
Learn more about Carolina and the tourism industry on Martha's Vineyard.
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Industry News
Cruise Ship Season
Local officials from Massport, MOTT, GBCVB and others gathered at Flynn Cruiseport in Boston’s Seaport Area on May 6 to kick off the 2022 Cruise Ship season. Details here.
Greater Merrimack Valley Convention & Visitors Bureau Open House
On June 22, the Greater Merrimack Valley Convention & Visitors Bureau (GBVCVB) holds its monthly open house at The Inn at Hastings Park in Lexington. Learn more and register.
Revere Office of Travel and Tourism
Congratulations to the City of Revere, which has launched a new Office of Travel & Tourism to promote Revere Beach and the city as a family-friendly destination. Get the details.
Chatham a Top Small Town
Congratulations to Chatham, Cape Cod, named one of the Best Small Towns to Visit in 2022 by Smithsonian Magazine. Details here.
Regional Tourism Council Bulletin
The June issue of the RTC’s monthly bulletin is available to read here.
Massachusetts Marijuana Establishments Surpass $2 Billion in Gross Sales
The Cannabis Control Commission, Worcester announced adult-use Marijuana Establishments in Massachusetts surpassed $3 billion in gross sales. Massachusetts has 165 cannabis retailers and 3 delivery businesses currently in operation. For more information: MassCannabisControl.com, (774) 415-0200.
NEWS from The Arts Foundation of Cape Cod
The Arts Foundation of Cape Cod (AFCC) is preparing to open a grant application to cultural organizations in Barnstable County impacted by Covid-19. Thanks to funding from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) , the AFCC will distribute a total of $139,000; grants will range from $4,000 to $20,000. Eligible applicants must be nonprofit organizations in Barnstable County that have an arts- and/or culture-based mission. The online application will be open from June 1 - July 15. For more information visit: https://artsfoundation.org/afcc-grants/
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International Updates
- Condor started 3x weekly seasonal service between Frankfurt and Boston. Read more here.
- MOTT participated as an exhibitor at IPW 2022 from June 5-9. IPW is the leading international inbound travel trade show for U.S. destinations, which took place this year in Orlando, Florida. Over 50 Massachusetts delegates were present at the show.
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Upcoming Events
This year, there are more things to do in Massachusetts than ever before. From business openings to new heritage trails to state-of-the-art interactive experiences, Massachusetts has something for everyone.
See what's new in 2022 throughout the state.
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MOTT Opportunities
Media Outreach
MOTT is preparing its media outreach for summer activities. Please contact Michael Quinlin to share ideas or to get more details.
Listings: ‘50 Great Things to do Under $50’
We’d love to list your special deal in MOTT’s ’50 Under $50’ program. To join, 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 and must be available for the entire two-month duration. We are currently preparing our July/August 2022 and September/October 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 royalty and copyright free images, especially pictures featuring safety protocols such as masked employees/customers and social-distancing, please send to Phyllis M. Cahaly for consideration. Please include the name of the photo, the location (city/town) and the photography credit.
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MA Film Office
Provincetown International Film Festival
June 15 – 19
Nantucket Film Festival
June 22 – 27
Roxbury International Film Festival
June 22 – 28
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 & April, 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 April, 2022, the lodging industry in MA continued its upward trend compared to April 2021, with performance continuing to approach the (pre-pandemic) April 2020 levels.
- Rooms Sold were up 60% to 1.7 M in April, 2022 from 1.1 M in April, 2021 (0.4 M in April, 2020).
- Room Revenue increased 165% to $336 M in April 2022, from $127 M in April 2021 ($33.5 M in April, 2020).
- The larger increase in Room Rev v. Rooms Sold was caused by substantial increase in average daily room rate of 66% to $193 from $116.
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, Dir., 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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