MAY 2017

 

Dear Colleagues,

May is a magical month in Massachusetts, with hundreds of outdoor festivals, sports events, culinary offerings and college graduation ceremonies across the Commonwealth. And Memorial Day, May 29 this year, marks the start of the summer tourism season.

MOTT continues to have a strong presence in industry-related activities ranging from Tourism Day and Discover New England to TBEX and the IPW conferences.

As always, we offer our readers various ways to collaborate and partner with us, outlined below.

Thank you for working with us to promote Massachusetts as a travel destination for business and leisure travelers alike.

Francois-Laurent Nivaud
Executive Director
MOTT

daveheadshot.jpgIndustry Spotlight
Vicki Saltzman:
Masterpiece Maven
Ever-evolving, The Clark has been a Berkshires arts & culture landmark since the 1950s. At the forefront of The Clark’s dynamic transformations is Director of Communications, Vicki Saltzman. We caught up with Vicki to learn about new initiatives, visitation, and what makes The Clark experience so special. . Read more...

INDUSTRY 

By The Numbers

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• Occupancy rates across the Commonwealth for January/February 2017 were at 55%, which trails the U.S. average of 61%.

• Average Daily Rate (ADR) of $136.97 was substantially higher than the U.S. average of $123.24.

• Revenue Per Available Room (RevPar) was identical at just over $75 for both Massachusetts and the U.S. average.

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• Percentage growth was present in all categories, except for Rooms Available. Massachusetts trailed the U.S. averages for January/February 2017, compared to same period in 2016.

International

Market Webinars

On April 19 and 20, MOTT hosted a series of 30-minute webinars on the following international inbound tourism markets for Massachusetts: Italy, Germany, France, China, Japan, United Kingdom, and Ireland. These webinars provided an update on the latest trends per market including consumer profile, top tour operator information, and advice on how to prepare for appointments at international trade shows such as DNE Summit and IPW.

If you missed it, you can download the webinars. If you have any questions regarding this series or future presentations, please contact Maria Speridakos.

Discover New England Annual Summit: Recap

The 22nd Annual Discover England Summit Tourism Summit & International Marketplace took place on April 24-26, 2017 at the Omni Mount Washington Resort in New Hampshire. It was attended by over 80 international tour operators and US receptive operators. MOTT had meetings with 52 buyers to discuss travel and tourism into Massachusetts. Leads will be posted on the leads page soon. We’re also excited to announce that the 2018 DNE Summit will take place in Cape Cod! Please check out the announcement video.

Domestic Public Relations

Memorial Day Itinerary

With Memorial Day around the corner, a special way to honor the memory of the fallen is by touring the incredible collection of war memorials throughout the Bay State. MOTT has crafted six trails to explore, connecting sites from the American Revolution, Civil War, WWI and WWII, Vietnam War, Korean War, and other Must-See Memorials. These trails are great for history buffs, families, Veterans, and anyone looking to connect with the brave men and women that gave their lives in service. Download, print, and take along for the journey here..

Industry News

Tourism Day Recap

Tourism Day in Massachusetts took place on April 6 at the State House. It was a gathering of industry and legislators to celebrate the vast diversity of Massachusetts’ tourism offerings.

MOTT joined the RTCs in displaying the variety of tourism attractions the Commonwealth has to offer to the public and Legislators. See photos.

The 37th Annual Senior Conference hosted by Senator Jamie Eldridge

MOTT attended the Annual Senior Conference on April 20 at Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School. We held workshops on attractions across the Commonwealth, which are geared towards seniors. See photos.

Upcoming Events


Pre-IPW Briefing: May 17, 2017
Attending IPW this year in Washington DC? Join MOTT’s international team for a briefing on the latest trends in international travel on Wednesday, May 17 from 12 - 1pm. RSVP to Daniela De Caro-Heavey for further details.

ArtWeek Spring 2017: Through May 7, 2017
Presented by Highland Street Foundation and produced by the Boch Center, ArtWeek is an award-winning bi-annual creative festival featuring more than 150 unique, unexpected, and creative experiences that are participatory, interactive, or offer behind-the-scenes access to artists or the creative process.

View the ArtWeek Spring 2017 Hospitality Preview.

Check out the complete list of ArtWeek events.


TBEX North America: May 4-6, 2017
TBEX is the largest conference and networking event for travel bloggers, online travel journalists, new media content creators, travel brands and industry professionals. MOTT will attend the Sponsor Showcase held at the Von Braun Center in Huntsville, Alabama, and hold several scheduled appointment sessions throughout the event. Get more info.

Industry

By The Numbers

International

Domestic PR

 

Bulletin Board:
Use these opportunities to be included for FREE in MOTT’s ongoing promotional efforts.

MassJazz Guide:

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MOTT is preparing its annual MassJazz Guide, a compendium of jazz festivals, concerts and resources published each July. For more information, or to submit information that falls between July-December 2017, contact massjazz@comcast.net or call Michael Quinlin at 617 973-8503. Deadline for submission is May 25, 2017.

Wicked Free Summer Fun:

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Our Third Annual Wicked Free Summer Fun (WFSF) promotion runs from June 21 to September 4, 2017. If you have any TOTALLY free events and activities for our visitors and residents to enjoy this summer please send your listings to Phyllis M. Cahaly. WFSF listings will be featured on massvacation.com.

Regional Small Business Listening Sessions:

The Baker-Polito Administration has announced a series of 10 Small Business Listening Sessions occurring across the Commonwealth throughout the month of May. Check out the schedule.

Step it Up on Instagram:

Follow along with us on Instagram at @VisitMA for a spring power boost. From road races to hikes for the whole family, we’re embracing outdoor cardio with a view. Tag your photos #stepitupMA to join in!

Calling all Culinary Events: 2017 Foods, Fairs, and Festivals:

Our monthly Culinary Tourism Calendar, feature foodie fun, fairs and festivals, and are a great way to promote your culinary events. We are looking for events from now through December 2017, so please email your submissions to Phyllis M. Cahaly. You can also send (royalty & copyright free) food and culinary event images. (Note: the culinary calendars are specifically designed to promote culinary events, not standard or static restaurant menus)

50 Great Things to do Under $50:

We are compiling our next crop of “50 Great Things to do Under $50” in Massachusetts for July/August 2017. If you have an event, an exhibit or a promotional activity happening for the duration of July/August 2017 and the fee to attend is $50 or less for either 2 adults or for 2 adults & 2 kids (12 and under), then please email your listings to Phyllis M. Cahaly.

SPORTS

NCAA:

After a year-long, competitive bid process which included more than 3,000 bids from across the nation to host over 600 NCAA events, Massachusetts was awarded seven events. Having also been named as host in the previous bid cycle, Massachusetts will now host at least 12 NCAA Regional and National Championships through 2022. Learn More.

National Association of Sports Commissions’ (NASC) Sports Event Symposium:

The Massachusetts Sports Marketing Office, along with other Massachusetts partners, attended the National Association of Sports Commissions’ (NASC) 25th Anniversary Sports Event Symposium March 27-30, 2017. Be sure to check out the Industry Leads page on Massvacation.com to see which events are interested in coming to Massachusetts. To learn about all events coming to Massachusetts this spring stop by the MA Sports Marketing Office site.

Film:

The Massachusetts Film Office put together a location map for the film Manchester by the Sea in order to promote the movie’s connection to Massachusetts’ North Shore. The two-time Oscar winner was filmed entirely in Massachusetts and stars MA-native Casey Affleck. View map.

KEEP IN TOUCH:

              

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