Massachusetts Celebrates Tourism Day at the State House on May 9, as part of National Travel & Tourism Week

Travel and hospitality leaders from across the Commonwealth are gathering at the State House on Beacon Hill in Boston to celebrate Tourism Day in Massachusetts on Wednesday, May 9, 2012 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.  The event is part of National Travel& Tourism Week activities taking place across the United States from May 5-13, 2012.

The State House event includes a showcase of regional food offerings and marketing programs from all 16 designated tourism councils throughout the Commonwealth and features local products, from cider donuts to seafood.  The event is free and open to the public.

"Tourism is rebounding and continues to be one of the Commonwealth’s strongest industries,” said Betsy Wall, executive director of Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism (MOTT). “We are optimistic about the future of this sector, which employs 122,000 Massachusetts residents.” 

Tourism is Massachusetts’ third-largest industry and is vital to the Commonwealth’s success and economic recovery, according to MOTT statistics.  In 2010, the tourism industry was responsible for more than 122,000 jobs and direct spending of $15.5 billion, bringing $1 billion in state and local tax revenue to the Commonwealth while paying out $3.5 billion in wages. 

For more details on visiting Massachusetts, go to MassVacation.com.