Press releases
05/26/2023
Governor Lamont Announces Connecticut Tourism Draws Record Revenues and National Press Attention
State looks to continue building on momentum by summer 2023
(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today highlighted the recent release of data showing the tangible return on investment in promoting Connecticut with a season-long advertising campaign designed to showcase the state as a more vibrant, dynamic and inclusive. Not only is the state attracting more visitors than ever for tourism-related businesses, but Connecticut is also drawing more praise than ever from some of the world’s leading media outlets.
An independent study from the leader in tourism research Tourism Economics reports that tourism now generates $17 billion in annual business sales for a variety of tourism-related businesses in all regions of Connecticut. That’s a new state record for visitor spending, also making Connecticut a top performer in the region.
Another independent study of North American travel by Arrivalist also ranks Connecticut number one in the nation for the most growth in overnight road trips over the past year.
Continuing for this summer, the robust “Find Your Vibe” marketing and PR campaign is helping to drive these results. The first stop for many who are interested in visiting Connecticut is the state’s official tourism website. During the past year, ctvisit.com saw a record 7.1 million website visits. According to third-party website traffic measurement company SEMrush, ctvisit.com it is among the top five state tourist sites in the nation for both traffic and engagement, along with top tourist destinations such as Florida and Hawaii.
The mainstream media is also taking note of Connecticut’s emergence as a world-class destination. Just a few recent press stories put Connecticut’s cities, towns, restaurants, hotels, attractions and airports in the national spotlight:
- The New York Times recently featured New Haven as one of the best places to visit in 2023. (link)
- USA Today Top 10 ranked Mystic as the #4 summer vacation destination for 2023. (link)
- Bloomberg he called Mystic a “chef’s paradise”. (link)
- Passport Magazine, a leading LGBTQ+ travel publication, called Connecticut “one of the most inspiring destinations in the country.” (link)
- Count Nast Traveler reported that its readers voted Bradley International Airport the second-best airport in the nation in 2022. Additionally, this year’s survey (now ongoing) includes a total of 35 Connecticut hotels, resorts, spas and restaurants in the nominations. . (link)
- daily food it even proclaimed Connecticut the home of the number one pizza in America, four years in a row. (link)
“It is time Connecticut tourism received the national attention it deserves,” Governor Lamont said. “Our state is an amazing place to visit and an even better place to live. The rest of the world is finally starting to see Connecticut for who we are: vibrant, kinetic, and inclusive. As a destination, we have it all: natural beauty, cultural attractions, amazing places to eat, and unique places to stay. The unsung heroes behind this push are the incredibly hard-working people in the tourism industry, as well as our state agencies and the many Connecticut residents who welcome visitors to our state every day. They are making Connecticut proud.”
“There’s Nothing Like Summer in Connecticut” Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz said. “Whether you’re looking to relax on the beach, hike in one of our stunning state parks, cool off at a museum, or enjoy an amazing place to eat, we’ve got it all. The state’s recent accolades in tourism are made possible by our hard-working state agencies, our incredible business owners, and our fantastic residents. So if you’re planning a day trip or looking for a summer destination, come see what Connecticut has to offer.”
“Connecticut is about to have its biggest summer tourism season yet, and with good reason,” Alexandra Daum, commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Community and Economic Development, said. “We have all the summer favorites, from beautiful beaches and fantastic ice cream to buttered lobster rolls and cultural hotspots in our cities. This is a place that defies expectations where everyone can find their vibe and something they love. The proof is in our website traffic and engagement numbers. ctvisit.comthat show the world that despite being a small New England state, we far outweigh our weight class with traditional tourism states like Florida and Hawaii.”
“Connecticut’s outdoor recreation economy has grown considerably in recent years as demand for outdoor recreation has increased significantly since the pandemic, with recent analysis from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis showing shows that the state’s outdoor recreation economy grew 20% between 2020 and 2021, generating nearly $4 billion in value-added and more than 44,000 jobs for the state,” Katie Dykes, commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, said. “This increase is attributable to the many outdoor recreation opportunities we have in Connecticut, including Connecticut State Parks, collectively one of the largest tourist destinations in the state, welcoming 17 million visitors last year. That’s why we’ve invested historic levels of funding to restore our state parks, connected our beach parks to New York City via public transportation, and continue to invest in providing access to parks, building and improving trails, improving boating and fishing access, and much more. Come see why Connecticut is a great place to play outside.”
To learn more about all the great things there is to see and do in Connecticut, visit ctvisit.com.
- Twitter: @GovNedLamont
- Facebook: Office of Governor Ned Lamont
