Massachusetts leaders pitch $3.5 billion Mass Leads Act at revived governor’s tourism conference

Governor Moore Healy and state tourism officials used a revived governor’s conference in Boston to press for a major investment in the travel and creative economy, calling for legislative support of what leaders described as a roughly $3.5 billion package to expand tourism programs ahead of the state’s 250th anniversary.

The governor and his economic development team framed the Mass Leads Act as the outgrowth of a year-long Team Massachusetts economic plan. "We converted to a bill that the governor filed on March 1st," the secretary said during the conference, and the governor asked attendees to "get on board and help support the Mass Leads Act because we think this is really important for getting us to where we need to be." The administration said the bill bundles multiple programs and resources to support tourism and related industries.

Officials emphasized the economic stakes. Governor Moore Healy cited 2022 tourism figures for the Commonwealth, saying the industry generated nearly $25 billion in visitor spending, supported more than 130,000 jobs statewide and produced about $2 billion in tax revenue. Those figures were presented to justify the proposed investment and to underscore tourism’s role in regional economies.

Speakers tied the legislation to the state’s Mass 250 celebrations, arguing that the upcoming anniversary offers an opportunity to draw visitors and tell Massachusetts’s story. "We’re gonna work on this," the governor said in describing plans to use the 250th to "drive tremendous growth" and to promote the state’s history and cultural assets.

Conference organizers and officials also highlighted the breadth of the sector the bill aims to support: cultural institutions, outdoor recreation, events and film production. The governor named partners including Mass Cultural Council, Massport, and regional tourism councils and thanked the Hilton and other hosts for accommodating the event.

There was no formal vote on the bill at the conference. Organizers used the gathering to brief regional leaders, solicit backing and celebrate industry contributors: awards presented during the program included the Larry DeMeehan Lifetime Achievement Award to Patty Lloyd, the first-ever Revolutionary Achievement Award to Jonathan Lane (executive director, Revolution 250 Inc.), the Film Industry Achievement Award to Charlie Harrington (location manager), and an award of appreciation to Tony D'Agostino on his retirement as director of research for MOTT and regional tourism councils.

The gathering — organizers said about 450 people attended and there was a wait list — served as both a promotional platform for the Mass Leads Act and a networking opportunity for tourism and cultural leaders across the Commonwealth. Officials said they will continue to work with legislators on the bill, but did not announce a legislative timeline at the conference.