April 29, 2020

COVID-19 INDUSTRY UPDATE #9

Executive Director, Lea Filson
lea.filson@seeplymouth.com

Today was a beautiful day for a walk to absorb the latest directive that we stay at home through May 18. Hopefully, at that point we will begin a phased opening of businesses.

I continue to work with the Regional Tourism Councils on various types of funding so we can begin promoting once we pass the curve. In particular, I am leading the effort to add a federal designation to Community Development Block Grants (CDBG grants) that will add a percentage for tourism marketing. Both towns and states can apply, and I am trying to get us included for both. It was those funds that helped to save the tourism industry after Hurricane Katrina back in 2005. More on that in coming reports…

This week the See Plymouth staff is working from home on everything from our new ‘Stay Home’ campaign to funding paperwork for the MA Office of Travel and
Tourism (MOTT) to accepting guidebook delivery to updating our website. Like you are experiencing with your businesses, there is so much to be done to try to get us back on track.

I joined Plymouth Town Moderator Steven Triffletti at noon this past Monday to talk about tourism economy and what we are expecting once the COVID quarantine is over. You can view it here:

See Plymouth is excited to support the #ArtWeekAtHome celebration that begins May 1. It is a hands-on and immersive arts festival that will take a virtual form this year. Created by the Boch Center in Boston, this year’s version will include virtual tours, concerts and creative programs.

Our own Plymouth Bay Cultural District is participating with local videographer Christopher Harting by putting together 60-second short films. We encourage all partners to share their digital content across social media while tagging #ArtWeekatHome, @ArtWeekMA and #PlymouthArt@Home2020.
National Travel and Tourism Week

National Travel and Tourism Week – May 3 – 9, 2020 – is an annual tradition for the U.S. travel community. It’s a time when travel and tourism professionals across the country unite to celebrate the value travel holds for our economy and businesses.

We are participating in the #SpiritofTravel campaign to help the nation understand the importance of travel and tourism to our economic recovery.
To get involved, we invite you participate in a #VirtualRoadTrip on Twitter. #VirtualRoadTrip highlights the destinations, restaurants, hotels, small businesses, parks, attractions and more that make up America’s #SpiritOfTravel. The road trip will take place on Tuesday, May 5.
U.S. Travel Association Weekly Update

Please take a look at the U.S. Travel Association Weekly Update link. It is full of information to help provide tourism businesses new perspectives as well as funding suggestions. You will spend anywhere from 30 minutes to three hours on all they have to offer.
Stay Home, Then See Plymouth Ad Campaign

Take a moment to view some of the many ads we are sending through social media both locally and regionally to stay top of mind with those who miss us and those who we haven’t met. Claire MacPherson did an extraordinary job on these! They will give you a few moments of reflection and relaxation.
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