from MOTT July 2020:

Massachusetts Reopening News

• Beginning July 1, the Baker-Polito Administration has new quarantine guidelines for visitors coming to Massachusetts from seven neighboring states, including NY, NJ, CT, ME, NH, RI & VT.  See details here.
• MOTT’s website, www.massvacation.com, now has FAQs for visitors coming to Massachusetts.
• On June 28, the Commonwealth embarked on Phase II, Step 2 of the Reopening Massachusetts plan. Find information on when businesses can reopen here.
• Indoor dining is now permitted.  For full restaurant guidance, click here.
• State House officials announced additional administrative tax relief measures for local businesses impacted by COVID-19, especially in the restaurant and hospitality sectors. This tax relief includes postponing the collection of regular sales tax, meals tax, and room occupancy taxes for small businesses normally due from March through August, so that they will instead be due in September.

International Update

UK journalist, Abigail King, who had previously been hosted on an international FAM trip to Massachusetts, has written a blog on Nantucket, which was shortlisted for The Visit USA 2020 Media Awards. We are so happy to share that Abigail King won in the category of Blogger/Vlogger of the Year Award, with the submission of her beautiful Nantucket article from her visit; Fast forward to 3:41 to hear the award announcement by Visit USA! A sincere thank you to all in Massachusetts who hosted and made Abigail King’s experience in Massachusetts a memorable one.  Read Abigail’s piece on Nantucket here.

Industry News

Spirit of Massachusetts
The Regional Tourism Councils (RTC) have created a new micro website to promote Massachusetts as a great place to visit when the time is right. See details here.

Sales Tax Holiday
Massachusetts’ annual Sales Tax Holiday the weekend of August 30-31 offers a good opportunity to support Main Street businesses and the local economy.  See FAQs about the Sales Tax Holiday.

State Campgrounds
The Massachusetts Department of Conservation & Recreation has opened state campgrounds beginning July 1.  See details here.

The 2020 Big E Cancelled
The Eastern States Exposition announced that due to the COVID-19 crisis, this year’s BIG E Fair has been cancelled.  Be sure to mark your calendar for the 2021 BIG E Fair: September 17-October 3, 2021, and keep up with the latest from The Big E here.

Massachusetts Celebrates Women Trailblazers
MOTT’s Historic Women Trailblazers digital page celebrates the achievement of women in the Commonwealth.  Stay tuned for the release of our digital booklet on the Historic Women Trailblazer’s page in August.

Massport News
Construction work at Logan International Airport this summer will affect traffic patterns at the airport, especially around Terminal B.  See details here.

Call for Brochures
Our friends at Simon/Lee Premium Outlets in Lee, MA, invite you to send them one box of brochures or visitor guides for display at their information centers.  There is no storage or stocking fee so please send your printed tourism information to: Carolyn Edwards, Area General Manager, Simon/Lee Premium Outlets, 17 Premium Outlets Blvd., Lee, MA 01238. If you would like more information, please contact Carolyn Edwards.

50 Great Things to do Under $50

MOTT’s ’50 Under $50’ special deals page is consistently ranked as one of our Top 5 visited web pages each month.  To list a special deal offered by your organization, the offer must be valid for a two-month duration and the admission of $50 must cover: two adults only and/or two adults with two children age 12 and under.

We are currently accepting ’50 Under $50’ offers for August/September/October. Please send your submissions to:  Phyllis M. Cahaly.

FREE means FREE!

With so many amazing free things to do in Massachusetts, we created a FREE category listing in our online calendar of events at massvacation.com.

Now, you can add your organization’s cost-free events to MOTT’s year-round calendars. Just click on ‘submit your listing’ on the bottom of the homepage, and follow the prompts.

COVID-19 Resources & News

• For the most up-to-date information on Massachusetts, visit the COVID-19 daily update at mass.gov/covid19-updates
• U.S. Travel COVID-19 Travel Industry Research
• U.S. Travel Industry Guidance for Promoting the Health and Safety of All Travelers
• U.S. Travel CARES Act Relief Resources
• For ongoing perspective on Massachusetts initiatives visit Massitsallhere.com
• For Small Business Administration (SBA) information on Economic Injury Disaster Loan
• Meeting Professionals International Coronavirus Resources
• Webinar Series |Skift
• Weekly Education & Research Video Series | Destination Analysts
• COVID-19 Webinar | Expedia Group Media Solutions
• Webinar series| TravMedia
• Webinar series| Sojourn
• Webinar series| TrekkSoft