Massport offices close in London and Boston

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.