New program gives each community a chance to spotlight its special places

FRAMINGHAM, MA - "1,000 Great Places in Massachusetts" is a new cultural tourism program that celebrates what is unique about our state, its communities, and its people, and also to stimulate cultural tourism. The program seeks to increase visitation to the state's wide range of exceptional historic sites, cultural venues, and natural landscapes.

Nominations will be considered for a final list of 1,000 Great Places in Massachusetts to be announced in May.

"Framingham is full of special historic sites, cultural landmarks, and natural landscapes", said Representative Pam Richardson. "I hope residents of Framingham will take advantage of this opportunity to highlight these places, and tell their stories about why these places deserve to be included on the list."

The Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism (MOTT) has established a website to accept nominations from the public:  www.massvacation.com/1000/
All Great Places that are nominated must be open and available to the public. Only one nomination per person will be accepted. The nomination period will close April 1, 2010. The Commission will meet later that month to draw up a final list of 1,000 Great Places in Massachusetts, which will be announced in May.

The 1,000 Great Places Commission was created by the Legislature in 2009. It is chaired by Eric Turkington of Falmouth, a former state representative and first House Chair of the Joint Committee onTourism, Arts, and Cultural Development.