FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 15, 2018
Images Available
Salem, MA . . . Destination Salem, the Salem Office of Tourism & Cultural Affairs, Inc., ushered in its twentieth year at its annual meeting on Thursday, February 15. The organization confirmed its new board of directors and released the 2018 Salem Guide, which features an original illustration of the House of the Seven Gables by Salem artistElissa Von Letkemann on the cover.
Von Letkemann was commissioned to create the cover illustration to celebrate the 350th Anniversary of the House of the Seven Gables. Ten limited edition signed prints of the illustration will be given away during 2018 in a sweepstakes on Salem.org.
“The tourism industry in Salem is strong and Destination Salem is ready for the next twenty years,” stated Executive Director Kate Fox. Fox shared updates on 2017 initiatives, including updating the marketing and strategic plan, launching the new “Make your own magic” campaign, and conducting a visitor survey. Plans for 2018 marketing include continued promotion of Salem to domestic and international overnight travelers, day trippers, visitors from neighboring communities, group tour, cruise passengers, meetings, and conferences. The organization will also update its Motor Coach Map & Guidelines, be a Massachusetts ArtWeek partner, and continue promotion of Salem Haunted Happenings.
Beth Williams, Associate Director of Marketing at the Peabody Essex Museum, was confirmed as the new president of Destination Salem’s Board of Directors. New directors include Tim Maguire from Salem Night Tour, Elizabeth Peterson from The Witch House, and City Councillor Lisa Peterson. Tina Jordan from the Salem Witch Museum has stepped into the role of Vice President.
The Board of Directors is comprised of 18 representatives from each of the following organizations and business sectors: Accommodations, attractions, non-profit/cultural institutions, restaurants, retail, tours/transportation, a Salem resident, the City of Salem, Salem City Council, and the Salem Chamber of Commerce.
Destination Salem was first established in 1998 when tourism marketing was transitioned out of the City into a membership-based public-private partnership. In 2007, under Mayor Kim Driscoll’s leadership, Destination Salem was reorganized with funding from a portion of the local option hotel/motel tax that is matched with advertising revenue generated by the organizations two publications, the Salem Guide and the Guide to Haunted Happenings. All revenue generated by Destination Salem is reinvested into the promotion and marketing of Salem as a year-round destination.
Travel and tourism to Salem supported more than 800 jobs in Salem and generated $8.5 million in state and local taxes and $104 million dollars in traveler spending in 2016, a 4% increase over 2015 revenue, according to data provided by the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism.
Destination Salem 2018 Board of Directors
Executive Board
President Beth Williams, Peabody Essex Museum
Vice President Tina Jordan, Salem Witch Museum
Treasurer Susan Lippman, Essex Heritage
Secretary Betty Jayne Bouchard, The Depot Group
Past President Jim Hurrell, Witch Dungeon Museum & Salem Trolley
Members at Large
Pamela Captain, Bewitched After Dark Walking Tours
Erica Feldmann, HausWitch Home + Healing
Karen Gahagan, Salem State University
Serie Keezer, Sea Level Oyster Bar
Vini Kurti, Adriatic Restaurant & Bar
Tim Maguire, Salem Night Tour
Wendy Meigs, Salem Resident
Ryan Miller, Salem Waterfront Hotel & Suites
Elizabeth Peterson, The Witch House & Salem 1630: Pioneer Village
John Worthington, The Hawthorne Hotel
Ex Officio
Kim Driscoll, Mayor, City of Salem
Lisa Peterson, Salem City Council
Rinus Oosthoek, Salem Chamber of Commerce
National Park Service Liaison
Paul Deprey, Salem Maritime NHS
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