Press Release  Secretary Ash Welcomes Francois-Laurent Nivaud as Executive Director of the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism

BOSTON — Today Housing and Economic Development Secretary Jay Ash named Francois-Laurent Nivaud as the new Executive Director for the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism.

“Travel and tourism touch every part of the Commonwealth, supporting local economies from the Berkshires to Cape Cod,” said Secretary Ash. “Francois has been involved in the national hospitality industry for decades, and he is uniquely qualified to help Massachusetts leverage our unique tourism assets to drive broad economic growth.”

“The travel and tourism industry employs more than 130,000 people who receive $3.7 billion in wages, making it one of the largest sectors in the Commonwealth,” said Assistant Secretary for Business Development Nam Pham. “Francois’ private-sector experience in hospitality, marketing, and tourism will help us highlight Massachusetts’ and draw visitors to festivals, beaches, landscapes, and historic sites.”

“Supporting Massachusetts’ tourism sector requires identifying and building on the historic and aesthetic aspects of our cities and towns,” said Nivaud. “I look forward to working with the public and private sector to draw people to Massachusetts.”

About Francois-Laurent Nivaud:
Francois-Laurent Nivaud brings decades of experience in the hospitality and tourism industries to the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism. In 1998 he created New England Management Services (NEMS), a think tank for the hospitality industry that has been involved in consulting projects around the country and was instrumental in developing a Hotel & Residences complex at Battery Wharf in Boston in 2008. He has worked as the managing Director for the Boston Harbor Hotel from 1988-1999, helping to position it as an industry-leading hostelry. He also helped found the Boston Wine Festival and the Massachusetts Lodging Association, and serves as Director of the Greater Boston Convention and Visitors Bureau. He also served as Director of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce from 1995-2013. Nivaud is married and lives with his three children in Cohasset.

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