THE
Massachusetts Port Authority has axed its international marketing department
after a huge drop in airline traffic at Boston airport.
The
demise of the department after 18 years comes after enormous pressure on
finances, according to director of destination marketing Christina Pappas.
She
said the severe downturn in passengers, airlines cutting flights and lack of
income for Boston’s Logan airport had forced the authority into the tough
decision.
Massport
offices in London and Boston will close at the end of November.
The
authority used World Travel Market over the years to push Boston as a major
gateway to the US and worked with airlines like United and American to offer
deals to agents and customers.
People wanting information on Boston and New England
should contact sister organisations the Massachusetts Office of Travel and
Tourism, Greater Boston Convention and Visitors Bureau and Discover New
England, all of which will keep offices in the UK.