Massvacation.com is the official site of the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism (MOTT), a state agency.

• Enabling Legislation
• Overview
• Department of Business & Technology
• Fast Facts about MOTT
• Research
• MOTT's Major Programs

Enabling Legislation

"The Office of Travel & Tourism shall serve as the principal agency for promoting the recreational, cultural, historic and scenic resources of the Commonwealth to increase its desirability as a location for tourism, convention, travel, and recreation-related activities by providing informational, marketing and technical assistance to public and private nonprofit entities organized for similar purposes."

Chapter 23A: Section 13B

Overview

The Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism (MOTT) is the state agency dedicated to promoting Massachusetts as a friendly, family-oriented destination set in the midst of rich historical and cultural tradition. MOTT's budget is derived from a portion of the state hotel room occupancy tax and is therefore responsible for encouraging overnight stays, as well as increasing tourism-related spending and payroll. MOTT serves as a leader in the tourism industry, bringing together the public and private sectors to promote Massachusetts as a leisure destination.

Just under 20 million people visited Massachusetts in 2008 and spent $15.6 billion, making tourism one of the largest industries in the Commonwealth. Tourism generated $962.7 million in state and local tax revenues and supported 128,800 jobs in 2008.

Department of Business Development (DBD)

The Department of Business Development is the executive branch that oversees MOTT, as well as:

• Massachusetts Office of Business Development
• State Office of Minority and Women Business Assistance
• Massachusetts Office of International Trade and Investment

Fast Facts about MOTT

• Executive Director Betsy Wall
• Employees: 15
• FY2010 Budget: TBD
• In FY2010 MOTT administers an approximately $2.25 million grant program to the 13 Regional Tourist Councils.

Research

MOTT conducts extensive research to understand travel trends and sharpen the effectiveness of MOTT's domestic marketing efforts. The market size and resulting economic impacts are substantial.

• Market size: During 2008, Massachusetts attracted just under 20 million travelers who spent approximately $15.6 billion, making tourism one of the largest industries in the Commonwealth. Tourism generated over $962.7 million in state and local tax revenues and supported 128,800 jobs in 2008.  [Source: TNS Travels America and The US Dept. of Commerce & USTA's Economic Impact of Travel on State Economies]

Review our additional Research

MOTT's Major Programs

• Domestic Marketing
• International Marketing
• Governor's Conference on Travel & Tourism