Hospitality & Tourism

Berkshire Blueprint 2.0

The Hospitality and Tourism industry in the Berkshires comprises the hotels and inns, restaurants and food service enterprises, recreation and attractions, and other supporting industries that attract visitors who spend resources in the county. Closely aligned to hospitality and tourism are creative enterprises such as museums, performing arts venues, and other cultural institutions, as well as food and agriculture-related businesses and organizations. Second homeowners are also an aligned segment of the industry in the Berkshires. Increasingly, traditional seasonal visitors are supported by a strong second home market throughout the region while businesses that cater to visitors are thriving because of the involvement of second homeowners.

Action Steps

Invite and encourage the leadership base and industry hub to focus on common internal business issues
Invest in training, job design, and retention
Explore new funding sources and partnerships

Economic Impact

Berkshire-based Hospitality and Tourism establishments directly employ 6,329 workers. Hospitality and tourism contribute much more to the Berkshire economy than its employment numbers and the industry’s $400 million in Gross Regional Product suggest. According to the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism, visitors to the Berkshires in 2017 spent $517 million in the local economy and generated local tax receipts of $14.9 million and state tax receipts of $27 million. Moreover, spending by visitors increased by nearly 30 percent in the last five years, which outpaces other regions in the state, according to tourism officials.