Slow Down & Stay Awhile: New Signage Helps Promote North of Boston Region

Rep. Michael Costello, State Sen. Steven Baddour Salisbury Chamber of Commerce President Maria Miles Unveil Mass. Gateway Sign as part of See America Week

Peabody, MA, – The North of Boston Convention and Visitors Bureau, in conjunction with State Representative Michael Costello (D-Newburyport), State Senator Steven Baddour (D-Metheun) and Salisbury Chamber of Commerce President Maria Miles, today unveiled a new welcome sign on Rt. 95 just before the Massachusetts border in New Hampshire. The sign is designed to alert southbound motorists about the Maria Miles Visitors Center in Salisbury and promote tourism throughout the region.

“We want to thank Rep. Costello, Sen. Baddour and Ms. Miles for their key roles in getting this project completed,” said Julie McConchie, Executive Director of the North of Boston Convention and Visitors Bureau, which oversees the Maria Miles Visitor Center. “The timing couldn’t be better. We’re beginning the busy summer tourism season and also kicking off See America Week (formerly National Tourism Week) May 13–21, 2006.”

See America Week is sponsored nationally by the Travel Industry Association of America (TIA) and helps recognize the tremendous economic, social, and cultural impact of travel and tourism. The Maria Miles Visitors Center welcomes more than a half million visitors.

As a gateway to Massachusetts, the Maria Miles Visitors Center helps focus attention on Salisbury, Newburyport, Haverhill and surrounding towns and cities, explained Ms. Miles. “Tourism spurs thousands of dollars in local economic development in Merrimack Valley and Essex County. That’s why we’re thrilled to have the sign so that visitors have advance notice and can stop by the Center for information about local businesses and attractions,” she added. “The Center accepts brochures from local businesses and displays them for visitors to take with them when they stop by.”

“Every dollar we spend on tourism has a direct economic benefit that is three-fold,” said Rep. Costello. “While a project like this may seem small, it will result in literally thousands of dollars being spent in Salisbury, Amesbury and Newburyport. Since the new sign was installed, I am pleased to report traffic has increased by 15 percent.”

As part of their commitment to promoting local tourism in their Massachusetts Gateway Communities, Rep. Costello and Sen. Baddour annually have secured tourism and economic development funds in the state budget.

Tourism is the third largest industry in the state of Massachusetts. Travelers to Essex County spent over $577 million in 2004, according to the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism, supporting over 6,600 jobs and generating a payroll of $154 million. These travelers also generated $46.5 million in state and local taxes. Dollars spent by travelers produce a ripple effect, which is felt through every aspect of our community and beyond.

“The dollars spent by visitors have strengthened the North of Boston economy by creating jobs, supporting local businesses including restaurants to retail stores, and creating greater tax revenues to support our community,” said Sen. Baddour. “As a result, it’s easy to see how ‘Tourism Works for Massachusetts”.”

The North of Boston region is also a leading destination for international visitors to America. According to the TIA preliminary 2004 data, international visitors to the U.S. spent $93 billion here creating a balance of trade surplus of $4 billion.

The North of Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau is the tourism agency responsible for promoting the thirty four cities and towns of Essex County as a visitor, meeting and group tour destination. The North of Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau is a membership organization located at 17 Peabody Square, Peabody, MA 01960.