Tourism Officials Celebrate the Industry at the State House

BOSTON – Tourism leaders from across the state gathered yesterday at the State House to celebrate the industry’s economic impact and legislative champions.

The annual Massachusetts Tourism Day was hosted by the 16 regional tourism councils and honored Ashland State Senator Karen Spilka and Plymouth Representative Mathew Muratore.

Tourism officials are still working to restore $7 million in marketing funds cut from the budget in December.

The industry is the third largest in the state and accounts for 135,000 jobs.

In 2015, visitors to Massachusetts spent $20.2 billion on lodging, meals, culture and recreational attractions, transportation and retail. That spending resulted in $1.3 billion in local and state tax revenue.