February 2010 Edition

Fiscal Year 2009 Update:  Vermont Taxable Receipts Analysis

Following a generally strong  FY 2008, which saw taxable rooms receipts up 9.6 percent over FY 2007, FY 2009 (July 1, 2008 to June 30, 2009) bore the brunt of the global financial downturn that began in mid-September 2008.  The Vermont Brand held up for the foliage season despite the economic anxiety; October 2008 saw a decline in commercial room rentals of a miniscule .02 percent.

But weather and the economy conspired to diminish commercial room sales for much of the winter; at the same time the alpine skier days were off only seven percent from the previous year, which was the best in a decade.  Room sales held their own in January 2009 and recovered significantly during April and June. 

Despite the challenges, the key performance measures of the hospitality/recreation industry emerged comparatively strong for FY 2009, while many destinations have faced declines of 15 to 20 percent, Vermont’s MRA composite is a relatively modest -3.64 percent. Click here for a chart comparing FY 2008 to FY 2009.

For further analysis of the factor impacting Vermont’s tourism industry, review the December 2009 Dashboard report.

Vermont students are invited to illustrate an advertisement for Vermont Life magazine’s summer issue as part of a new contest designed to highlight the importance of tourism in the Green Mountain State.

The Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing’s “Drawn to Vermont” contest gives Vermont students in grades K-12 the opportunity to draw a picture that represents their favorite summer place or summer activity in Vermont.  The top three winning illustrations will be published in the summer issue of Vermont Life, an award-winning quarterly magazine published by the State of Vermont. For details, visit www.VermontPartners.org/DrawnToVermont.

Discover New England to Host International Marketplace

Discover New England's 15th Annual Tourism Summit & International Marketplace will be April 19-21 at the Newport Marriott in Newport, RI. This is the leading event for New England tourism-related businesses interested in growth from international travelers.

DNE invites more than 60 international tour operators, U.S. based receptive operators, and international press to attend the summit and engage in one-on-one business meetings with members of the New England tourism industry.

Register by Jan. 31 and save $100. For more information or to register, visit www.discovernewengland.org/summit.

Upcoming Shows, Conferences and Sales Missions

A Japan receptive sales mission in Los Angeles is scheduled Feb. 17-18. For details, contact Linda Seville at lindas@globalpursuit.net.

A Japan sales mission in Tokyo and Osaka is scheduled March 27 to April 2. For details, contact Linda Seville at lindas@globalpursuit.net.

The ITB Berlin trade and consumer show in Berlin, Germany will be held March 10-14. For details, contact Linda Seville at lindas@globalpursuit.net.

The 27th Annual Vermont Travel Industry Conference will be held April 7-8 at the Stoweflake Resort and Spa in Stowe. Workshop presentation submission forms are now being accepted, To download a workshop form, visit www.vtic.org. Sponsorship information will be available soon.

The U.S. Travel Association's International Pow Wow will be in Orlando, Fla. May 15-19. For details, contact Linda Seville at lindas@globalpursuit.net.

Other News

Performance Venue Needed
Can your business host choirs or bands to perform while they visit Vermont?.
These bands or choirs may include as many as 55 singers, and the location can be indoors or outdoors (although indoor is preferred). For more information, please contact Christiane Skinner at Christiane.Skinner@State.vt.us.