Enabling Legislation for Tourism and Travels in New York

On By Slappeyto Oman


“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 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.

More than 31 million people visit Massachusetts each year who spend approximately $11.2 billion, making tourism the third largest industry in the Commonwealth. The industry generated $750.7 million in state tax revenues and supported 124,800 jobs in 2003.

The Department of Business and Technology (DBT)
The Department of Business & Technology 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 Paul J. Sacco
Employees: 13
2006 Budget:
Total: $7.8 million

MOTT administers an $8 million grant program for 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 2004, Massachusetts attracted an estimated 29.8 million domestic travelers. [Source: TIA’s TravelScope.]
More than 31 million people visit Massachusetts each year who spend approximately $11 billion, making tourism one of the largest industries in the Commonwealth. The industry generated $750 million in state tax revenues and supported 124,800 jobs in 2003.
[Source: TIA’s Economic Impact of Travel on State Economies, 2003].