Mighty Merrimack River Cities Initiative

The Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism, the North of Boston Convention and Visitors Bureau, and the Greater Haverhill Foundation have jointly announced $25,000 for “The River Cities” initiative designed to promote travel and tourism on the Merrimack River for the summer and fall peak tourism season.  The funding was secured by Massachusetts State Representative and Chair of the House Ways and Means Committee Brian S. Dempsey and Massachusetts State Senator Kathleen O’Connor Ives through the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism.  The Greater Haverhill Foundation in conjunction with the North of Boston Convention and Visitors Bureau produced promotional brochures and advertising with input from the Greater Amesbury Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Newburyport Chamber of Commerce and the Salisbury Chamber of Commerce to bring new visitors to the region.
 
“The River Cities initiative is a focused tourism strategy for the lower Merrimack Valley.  From Haverhill to Amesbury to the Atlantic Ocean – this region has the potential to become a destination for people visiting from other states as well as internationally.  The goal is to have the program evolve over time to further publicize The River Cities and their assets to a wide audience,” said State Senator Kathleen O’Connor Ives.
 
Celebrate the Mighty Merrimack River Cities Initiative
Wednesday September 3, 2014 @ 10am
Location: Riverside of 100 Washington St, Haverhill MA
 
The River Cities Initiative
The River Cities initiative included the development and distribution of tourism brochures that highlight the assets of the lower Merrimack River.  Information on parks, tours, boat docks, launches and marinas, beaches and other recreational opportunities are listed, giving visitors a one stop guide to the area.  Brochures were distributed to the local chambers of commerce, marinas, and other locations.
The North of Boston Convention and Visitors Bureau made the brochures available to the visitor center in Salisbury and included the information on its North of Boston website. 
The River Cities were promoted locally at the Boston, Haverhill and Newburyport MBTA stations in July and August, as well as through print advertising.  Online: 
http://northofboston.org/therivercities