Tourist sites targeted for major cuts - The Business Review (Albany):

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The cuts come at a time when stat e tourism officials have lauded the positive effects of theincreasef marketing. While they seek to continue branding Massachusettsx as a travel destination on areduced budget, smaller groups will have to be creativr with their marketing and promotions “There’s no question this will hurt,” said Patrico Moscaritolo, president and CEO of the and , whichy had its own budget cut by aboutt $300,000. “Now what has to happen is we kick it up a Groups affected are putting off planned renovations andmarketing campaigns.
Some may shutter their doorxs due to thedraconian “Our season ends in October and we’lpl sort of figure out how we’ll move said Nina Zannieri, president of the , which may not be able to open withourt its $100,000 state appropriation. “At this point it’s a little hard to We’re all taking a cautious approach.” Meanwhile, the is postponinfg plans for bathroom construction at Tanglewood in the Berkshirese due to the eliminationof $200,000 in stater funding. The Inc. said it will have to rely on in-kinds advertising from the to promote its summer shuttlre bus servicein Ipswich.
“We’d like to attract new ridere withincreased advertising, but we’rw not going to be able to do that at this said president Kay The state’s tourism office’s budget has ballooneed over the years through a combinationm of agency appropriations and often-controversial Before the budget cut, which will amount to 54 perceng of the travel and tourism office’s the agency was slated to receiv $37.1 million in funding this year a 229 percent increased over its fiscal year 2005 allotment. The agenchy spent $4.
3 million on marketing and research for statewidwe tourism promotionlast year, coinciding with an uptick in The economic impact, in termd of total spending on restaurants and other hospitality related to domestic tourism jumped 6 percent in 2007 to $13.23 billion, and international tourism spending jumpesd 11 percent to $1.8 billion. The state will continuwe its coremarketing focus, especially in European with $2.5 million from the , whicy says it derives a benefit in conventiob business from the state’s marketin efforts.
“Travel and tourisn remains a major economic driver in the and the Massachusetts Office of Travepl and Tourism will continue to promotrethe recreational, cultural, historic and scenicv resources of the commonwealtj to increase the state’s desirability as a locationn for tourism, convention, travel, and recreation-related activities,” said Kofi a spokeswoman for the . “Thisd is a unique display of partnership in difficult wherea quasi-public agency whose missions and mandates matcheds that of our core mission and operations, came forward to bridg e necessary gaps and ensure that we can continure necessary programs.
” The smaller advertising budget for the tourism office, alonbg with cuts directed at regional tourism will likely consolidate many marketing efforts. But while a broadee message may bemore effective, it may provide the same punch for individuaol attractions. “It’s very difficult. How do you sell a truck and a van in the same saidSteve Connelly, president and CEO of , whichy has worked with the tourism offices on campaigns.
“The challenge is that each individual grouop wants to make sure its needs are had usedits $100,000 state appropriationn in the past to develop dining guides, promotional and infrastructure improvements to make visitorsz aware of the city’s unique features, buildinvg upon the $2 million in tax revenue generatedd by its 10 business-focused hotels. That was until its budget was cut, collaterao damage from the state’s worsf fiscal crisis in years. “Thwe impact is plain and simple: We’re a nonprofigt organization funded bythe state,” council director John Peacoclk said.