Contact: Lisa Simmons, MOTT

Lisa.Simmons@state.ma.us

617-973-8508

Vicki Cimino, Connelly Partners

vcimino@connellypartners.com

617-521-5428

For Immediate Release

MASSACHUSETTS OFFICE OF TRAVEL AND TOURISM REACHES SOCIAL MEDIA MILESTONE
VisitMassachusetts Surpasses 50,000 Facebook Fans

BOSTON, January, 2012 - The Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism (MOTT) today surpassed 50,000 Facebook fans at facebook.com/VisitMassachusetts. MOTT attributes the growth to its Mass Insider platform – a collection of deals, insider tips, events and weekly Massachusetts giveaways.

While MOTT celebrates its success in reaching a new threshold, the organization touts its engagement with fans and a unique social experience that goes beyond one-way communication.

“Social media is an important tool in reaching new visitors with up-to-the-minute information on travel in Massachusetts,” said Betsy Wall, executive director of the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism.

Launched in September of 2010, the Facebook page features Massachusetts lodging, attractions, dining, shopping, outdoor activities, events, and everything in between.

Other notable advances in MOTT’s social media program include its steadily active Twitter page, @VisitMA, which has reached close to 6,000 followers, as well as the recent addition of a Google+ branded page.

For more information, visit massvacation.com and "Like" us on Facebook at Visit Massachusetts (http://www.facebook.com/VisitMassachusetts) and "Follow" us on Twitter @VisitMA (http://twitter.com/VisitMA) and find us on Google+ by searching “Visit Massachusetts” within the Google+ search bar.

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About MOTT
The Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism (MOTT) is the state agency dedicated to promoting Massachusetts as a leisure-travel destination. An integral part of the state’s economy, tourism generates more than $915 million in state and local taxes and $14.4 billion in travel related expenditures and supports 121,500 in-state jobs. Web site: http://www.massvacation.com/