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          Hybrid | Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce

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          Boston Marriott Long Wharf

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          This Women's Network event will offer an insightful conversation with Dr. Melissa Gilliam, the 11th President of Boston University and both the first woman and the first Black woman to lead the institution since its founding in 1869.

          06/18/2025

          11:30am - 1:00pm

          Fairmont Copley Plaza

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          Boston’s Future Leaders

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          Read More
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          BIMA (the Boston Interactive Media Association) serves a vibrant community of like-minded professionals from agencies, brands, publishers, and ad-tech companies with business interests in the New England market.

          Read More
          Women’s Network

          For over 30 years, the Chamber’s Women’s Network has connected female professionals of all background and career levels. Today, our Women’s Network is the largest in New England, strengthening the professional networks of women each year.

          Read More
          Massachusetts Apprentice Network

          The Massachusetts Apprentice Network convenes employers, training providers, and talent sources interested in developing and implementing apprenticeship programs in occupations across industries and statewide in fields such as tech, advanced manufacturing, healthcare, financial services, and more.

          Read More
          Pacesetters

          We are developing an ecosystem of corporations and partners with the influence and buying power to transform economic inclusion for minority business enterprises (MBEs).

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Chamber Supports Amendment to Direct $135M to Fund Tourism & Hospitality Industries

October 28, 2021

 

October 28, 2021

The Chamber submitted a letter in support of Amendment #336 to H.4219 An Act relative to immediate COVID-19 recovery needs. This amendment directs $135 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding towards recovery of the hospitality and tourism industry in Massachusetts.

Hospitality and tourism are essential parts of Massachusetts, both the economy and way of life, and play pivotal roles in the state through employment, economic contributions, and tax revenues. In March 2020, hospitality and tourism businesses, like others, took on great risk and closed their doors to protect public health. In many instances, they have been slower to return because of factors outside their control. Now, with an end in sight for the public health crisis and an infusion of federal money, the state should provide direct support so the same businesses can survive, recover, and thrive.

The pandemic has underscored just how many residents are employed in hospitality and tourism jobs. Prior to the pandemic, the hospitality and tourism industry was the third largest in the state and employed one in 10 Massachusetts residents. In 2018, more than 375,000 workers were employed in hospitality, with another 232,000 jobs indirectly supported by the industry. Many young workers, students, and immigrants work in the hospitality industry.[1] These jobs often are individuals’ first exposure to the workforce and for many this industry is a lifelong career.

These jobs translate to economic activity and tax revenues. In 2018, the hospitality industry generated more than $28 billion in direct economic output, plus another $41 billion in supported economic activity.[2] This translates to billions of dollars in tax revenue: in fiscal year 2019, room occupancy taxes generated $512 million in state and local revenue while meals taxes generated $1.4 billion in total revenue.[3]

[1] The Boston Foundation and University of Massachusetts Donahue Institute. June 2018. The Work of Leisure: Behind the Scenes of the Massachusetts Leisure, Hospitality and Tourism Industry.

[2] The Boston Foundation and University of Massachusetts Donahue Institute. June 2018. The Work of Leisure: Behind the Scenes of the Massachusetts Leisure, Hospitality and Tourism Industry.

[3] Department of Revenue. June 2019. Monthly Report of Collections and Refunds.

 

Carolyn Ryan

Senior Vice President, Policy & Research

[email protected]
617-557-7310

Download the Letter

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