The end of the summer is fast approaching, with fall right around the corner. It seems like we just started the New Year. As I have visited around our state, I’ve witnessed among our constituents stronger collaborations and partnerships to strengthen tourism’s position in the development of our state’s economy. With this effort, we are looking forward to a stronger fall season.
At the Office of Tourism, we are seeing signs of great interest in Connecticut’s vast array of tourism offerings, via our website. As is covered in more depth in this newsletter, our metrics for CTvisit.com website traffic shows the month of June, having over 684,000 visits, with over 21,000 referrals per day being sent to our tourism business partners. These are very significant numbers that ultimately generate an increase in revenue.
The tourism industry in Connecticut is a team business and, as always, we thank you for all you do for Connecticut tourism.
2017 Big E Opportunities: September 15th-October 1st
The Office of Tourism invites Connecticut tourism partners and residents to sign up and volunteer to serve as Ambassadors, at the Tourism Booth located in the Connecticut Building. Join the fun in sharing your personal stories of your favorite sites to over 1 million people who visit the Building.
We provide admission, free shuttle and parking while you provide the enthusiasm. To learn more, email Rosemary Bove at rosemary.bove@ct.gov.
Looking to expand your market reach? The 2017 Big E is the place to showcase your literature at the Tourism Booth located in the Connecticut Building. Coupled with your presence, as a Connecticut Ambassador, you can highlight your business/region, directly with your potential customers. To send a supply of your literature to the Connecticut Building click here.
We are excited to tell you about the recent changes we have completed on CTvisit.com. A new section on the homepage, What’s New, provides information on new openings, new exhibitions, expansions and more. We need your help with populating content and images in this new section. Tell us what’s new in your town or with your property. We also added a new Season Selector on the main navigation bar. This allows you to update your event information and images now for upcoming seasons, thereby increasing your promotional exposure. As our seasons change, we will be reminding you to change your images and update your information to correspond with each season. Any questions, contact Jean Hebert at jean.hebert@ct.gov.
The Office of Tourism’s Regional Marketing Team has been on the road sharing ways to leverage no-cost tourism programs. A very special thanks to the following towns who hosted the tourism marketing team in familiarization tours in Old Lyme, Old Saybrook, Branford, Guilford and Woodbury. New tourism partnerships were created and greater knowledge of products and services was gained for future use in our marketing and promotional efforts.
In addition, tourism marketing presentations were conducted to tourism and cultural businesses in the towns of Wethersfield, Stonington, Chester as well as the towns in the upper Middlesex Chamber of Commerce region.
Al Strong (aka “The Voice of Connecticut”) has been representing the Office of Tourism at numerous wellness fairs and corporate events throughout the state. He has been building awareness to diverse groups of Connecticut residents as to the wonderful activities, attractions and hidden gems we have available. A sampling of his recent visits include wellness fairs in the Town of Guilford, Victorinox Swiss Army, Inc. in Monroe, Middlesex Hospital in Middletown, EBP Supply Solutions in Milford and the Essex Steam Train & Riverboat Travel Review for the PRO’s. Be it a group of students, corporate employees or retirees, he is praised by his audience for his jovial presentation and depth of knowledge of our tourism product, which motivates people to explore what our state has to offer. If you wish to have a representative present at your upcoming event, please contact Alfred Strong at alfred.strong@ct.gov.
The Office of Tourism has been capturing beautiful photos and video of Connecticut’s delightful summer season, for use on CTvisit.com, in advertising, articles, social and PR campaigns. It is our goal to showcase the many exceptional experiences, throughout all corners of the state, that make Connecticut a prime tourism destination.
Our most recent journeys have included a trip to Enders Falls in Ender’s State Forest, Granby. One of the state’s most well-known and frequently visited waterfalls, Enders also proved to be the perfect cool respite for a couple enjoying the trail alongside the falls. Then it was on to Elizabeth Park Rose Gardens where it was inspiring to see the many families and people of all ages taking in the site of the spectacular flowers and canopies in full bloom.
The town of Ridgefield was also featured in a video of a young couple enjoying shopping opportunities and culinary treasures sprinkled throughout its charming Main Street, while a drone provided a stunning view of several Connecticut lighthouses from the high-speed Cross Sound Ferry.
Up next we look forward to photographing several destinations in the towns and cities of Westport, Woodbury, New Haven, Noank, Mystic, and Stonington.
Internship Opportunities
The Connecticut Office of Tourism and Office of Brand Development are offering internship opportunities, any time throughout the year. Interested individuals can contact Rosemary Bove at rosemary.bove@ct.gov.
The State’s Official Tourism website CTvisit.com is continuing to experience increased visitation from potential travelers seeking Connecticut tourism information. June 2017 saw over 684,000 visits to our site and an amazing 21,000+ outbound referrals per day, sending business to our industry partners. July’s report will be available on cultureandtourism.org by August 15th. For more information on this report, please contact robert.damroth@ct.gov.
The Department of Economic and Community Development, including the Connecticut Office of Tourism, is moving mid-September to 450 Columbus Boulevard in Hartford. Details to follow as the date approaches.
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