Press Release  Executive Office of Economic Development Announces New Executive Director of the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism

Boston — Today, the Executive Office of Economic Development named Kate Fox, former Executive Director of Destination Salem, as Executive Director of the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism (MOTT).

“Massachusetts is home to historic towns and cities, beautiful natural resources, and seasonal destinations that attract thousands of visitors annually and help drive our state’s economic growth,” said Governor Maura Healey. “With new energy, creativity, and ingenuity at our Office of Travel and Tourism, we are ready to show the world that Massachusetts is a world-class destination.”

“Our administration is committed to investing in tourism, which is vital to the economic well-being of so many of our 351 cities and towns in Massachusetts,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “We’re thrilled Kate will bring decades of experience working in the tourism industry to this role and excited to see her strengthen Massachusetts’ capacity to attract new visitors and businesses to our beautiful state.”

“We want to support the tourism businesses, industry partners, and incredible attractions that make communities throughout Massachusetts some of the best destinations in the world,” said Massachusetts Economic Development Secretary Yvonne Hao. “We’re excited to welcome Kate to Team Massachusetts and grateful to tap her marketing and industry expertise to help us grow the state’s tourism sector.”

"Tourism is critical to the economic well-being of so many of our cities and towns in Massachusetts,” said Undersecretary of Economic Strategies Sarah Stanton. “With Kate at the helm of our Office of Travel and Tourism, our state will showcase to visitors across the country the exciting attractions and events – including the 250^th anniversary of our country’s independence – that make Massachusetts the perfect place to bring their families, rest and relax, or experience arts, culture, and history.”

“I am excited to be joining the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism and look forward to working with the Office of Economic Development on statewide tourism initiatives,” said MOTT Executive Director Fox. “From the Berkshires to Boston, Cape Ann to the South Coast and Cape Cod, Massachusetts is an authentic, creative, and compelling destination for visitors from near and far and I can't wait to get to work promoting travel to Massachusetts.”

At Destination Salem in the Office of Tourism & Cultural Affairs in Salem, Fox oversaw marketing efforts in support of tourism, which is a key component of the city’s economy that generates more than $140 million in local expenditures for the city annually. Fox was a member of the City of Salem’s Economic Development Recovery & Revitalization Task Force, which was established in March 2020 to focus on business and community support during the pandemic. She also served on the Board of Directors for the Salem Chamber of Commerce, the Salem Main Streets Steering Committee, and was a Commissioner for the Essex National Heritage Commission. She was previously president of the North of Boston Convention & Visitors Board of Directors and is a North Shore LEADS Fellow.  

Fox lives in Beverly and holds a bachelor’s degree in English with a minor in Religious Studies from William Smith College. Her first day at MOTT was yesterday, June 12.

EOED recently announced a realignment of the office under new pillars to better focus on key sectors of the economy and ensure continued economic support for all Massachusetts communities and residents. The new pillars include Economic Foundations, focused on regional, rural, and small business growth, as well as infrastructure, seaport, and military installation support; Economic Strategies, focused on tourism and international trade, new federal opportunities in areas such as life sciences, advanced manufacturing, and clean energy, and the cross-secretariat Workforce Skills Cabinet; and Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation, which will be more fully integrated into the office’s overall economic development strategy.  

About Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism (MOTT)
MOTT’s mission is to promote Massachusetts as a leisure and business travel destination for domestic and international markets and to contribute to the growth of the Commonwealth’s economy. For information about visiting Massachusetts, go to VisitMA.com.

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