Malloy raises tourism dollars

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy announced today he was successful in raising $800,000 towards a one million dollar goal for the state tourism industry.

I've always thought that Connecticut has lots to offer vacationers, from our state's many fine beaches and state parks to attractions like Mystic Seaport, Lime Rock Park, the Casinos, and more. Gov. Rell's short-sighted decision to cut tourism spending to only $1 per year has negatively affected our state's ability to publicize our attractions to potential vacationers.

Christine Stuart from CT News Junkie has the story:

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy made good on a campaign promise today to boost Connecticut’s tourism industry by announcing he was able to raise close to $800,000 from private companies in order to jump start its marketing efforts.

Unwilling to let the summer slip away from him, Malloy sent out fundraising letters in April to 42 companies to ask for their financial support in putting together a $2.6 million marketing campaign to lure tourists to the state.

Malloy and the General Assembly approved $15 million in funding for statewide marketing efforts in the state budget, but that money won’t be available until July 1, the start of the new fiscal year. The budget is also pending ratification of the $1.6 billion state employee concession package.

Not known for his patience, Malloy and Kip Bergstrom, director of Culture and Tourism, set out to raise $1 million privately through letters it sent to a variety of different companies, including the state’s two casinos, two utility companies, and dozens of hotels and entertainment venues that would benefit from this type of marketing.

Read the rest of the article at CT News Junkie.

And visit our state tourism website at http://www.ctvisit.com/.