Last Chance to Register!
Have you registered for Open House Day yet? Don’t miss your chance!
On June 11, the 18th annual Open House Day will take place. This year, we are excited to return to a fully in-person event.For a chance to be included in pre-event press and marketing, you must register by May 10. The last day to register is May 27.
About the event:
As you’ve experienced in years past, Open House Day inspires Connecticut residents to become more aware of the amazing experiences in their own For the first time in a long time, our increased budget enabled us to run a season-long, multi-media winter campaign: The State I’m In. Hopefully you saw us on social media, search, digital marketing, billboards, streaming TV or even the local coverage of the Super Bowl, the Oscars, and the Big East Tournament! Our campaign’s new creative direction, which featured a more youthful, vibrant, diverse and inclusive view of Connecticut, received tremendously positive feedback. Better yet, it generated extremely The Connecticut Office of Tourism is pleased to announce that on June 11, the 18th annual Open House Day will take place once again. This year, we are excited to return to a fully in-person event.
As you‘ve experienced in years past, Open House Day inspires Connecticut residents to become more aware of the amazing experiences in their own backyard. This year‘s Open House Day will do the same, keeping our tourism and hospitality businesses in the hearts and minds of our residents.
As always, the event will MYSTIC, CONN., FEB. 10, 2022 - The Eastern Regional Tourism District (ERTD) has chosen six recipients to receive grants to market initiatives in support of eastern Connecticut’s tourism economy.Those selected are: Mystic River Heritage Foundation; The Last Green Valley; the City of New London; Thames River Heritage Foundation; Putnam Business Association and Think Mystic partnership. Mystic River Heritage Foundation will receive $10,000 and the rest will receive $8,000 each. A total of $50,000 has been
The Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) is pleased to announce that Noelle Stevenson has been named the new Director of the Connecticut Office of Tourism.
Noelle has more than two decades of executive leadership experience in destination marketing organizations, with experience in entertainment, cultural and lifestyle tourism. She has been responsible for marketing, advertising, brand strategy, public relations, partnerships, festivals and events, and hospitality programs
For the first time, The Connecticut Office of Tourism is developing a full campaign to promote winter visitation. We want to feature as many partners and experiences as possible, and as this is our first winter campaign, we need fantastic photos and footage to showcase Connecticut as a winter wonderland—with a variety of enjoyable experiences.
Does your business have great winter offerings? We want to hear from you—and we want to see your photos.
Tell us about:Winter favorites (e.g., skiing, snow
Governor Ned Lamont today announced that the Connecticut Office of Tourism is launching a new fall marketing campaign to promote safe travel and fuel the Connecticut tourism industry’s continued economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Called “Full Color Connecticut,” the campaign features the state’s renowned fall foliage while paying tribute to all the other colors and experiences state residents and visitors can enjoy in Connecticut this autumn – from the golds of corn mazes and the pinks of The Connecticut Convention & Sports Bureau – the state’s official meetings and sports event sales and marketing organization – will undergo a major brand refresh on August 19th, just in time for the busy meetings and hospitality industry show season. The quasi-public/private Bureau will introduce a new logo, CTmeetings, and all staff email addresses will change to @ctmeetings.org. The organization’s name will remain the Connecticut Convention & Sports Bureau, but now will be identified as CTmeetings and no As part of the American Rescue Plan Act, the U.S. Economic Development Administration is offering competitive tourism grants from $500,000 to $10,000,000 for Travel, Tourism & Outdoor Recreation. These grants may be relevant to some in our industry, including towns, non-profits and more. We encourage you to read about this grant program and consider applying if you are eligible.Thank you for being our valued partner and for all you do for Connecticut tourism! Learn More The Connecticut Office of Tourism manages a robust content marketing and PR program. To support this program, we research, write and promote articles which appear live on CTvisit.com. This program has been the very successful cornerstone of our tourism marketing activity.
Our goal is always to feature as many hotels, attractions, restaurants, and experiences as possible. So, how do you get included? Tell us if you have an experience that is relevant for inclusion in our upcoming topics. Here’s how:
Check We are pleased to report that the #CTDrinksOnUs program generated great results. In May, the Connecticut Restaurant Association partnered with Governor Lamont and the State of Connecticut to launch this integrated marketing campaign aimed at aiding the Connecticut restaurant industry’s recovery following the pandemic.
Below are a few highlights. The program generated:
1.3B earned media impressions and 309 media hits including all broadcast stations, NBC New York, CBS New York, MSN, CNBC and more20.5M paid
Eastern Regional Tourism District Extends Deadline to mid-June
The Eastern Regional Tourism District (ERTD) today announced it has extended the deadline to apply for matching funds to support tourism in eastern Connecticut.
The new application deadline is June 17.
Created last year, the Regional Marketing Partnership Program provides monies to support eastern Connecticut’s tourism economy.
Eastern Connecticut businesses, non-profits, and municipalities are encouraged to develop marketing plans, Earlier this month, we launched our summer tourism marketing campaign: Say Yes to Connecticut!
After saying “no” to so many things due to the pandemic, we are encouraging consumers to say “yes” to all the wonderful tourism activities in the state—and fuel the industry’s recovery.
We’re getting the word out through TV, online, social media and public relations. Here is a snapshot of recent campaign press coverage that highlights:
The industry’s ongoing commitment to safety and its importance to the The new #CTDrinksOnUs campaign is getting record attention – and your restaurant can participate! The program is receiving heavy media coverage, and a paid media campaign is now underway, all driving traffic to the list of participating restaurants on CTvisit. Restaurants that participate will benefit from significant exposure that may lead to increased business.
About the #CTDrinksOnUs program:
The Connecticut Restaurant Association is partnering with Governor Lamont and the State of Connecticut to Connecticut Welcome Centers are officially reopening on May 24, 2021. The centers operate seasonally, mid-May through October each year. During this time, they are staffed with tourism personnel who provide travel assistance and promote things to see and do in Connecticut. Literature is available at each of the sites. Want your business' literature to reach visitors? Send it to us!
Here's how:
- Ship your literature via FedEx or drop off in person at any one or all of the locations
- Average quantity The 17th annual Connecticut Open House Day is set for Saturday, June 12, 2021, and we don’t want you to miss out on the exposure!
Over the coming days and weeks, we will be promoting the event heavily through public relations, social media and on CTvisit.com.
Why participate:
After more than a year of business closures and restrictions, Connecticut residents are eager to get out and explore—and we know you’re ready to welcome them back.
By offering state residents free or reduced admission or special
We are thrilled to announce our 2021 summer marketing campaign: Say Yes to Connecticut! After saying “no” to so many things due to the pandemic, we are now encouraging consumers to say “yes” to all the wonderful tourism activities in the state. Running May 1 through September 6, the integrated, multi-media campaign will feature businesses and activities that make up Connecticut’s tourism industry sector and will target residents of CT, NY, RI and MA.
Say Yes to Connecticut aims to:
1) Reassure state Over $200,000 in grant funding has been allocated to market eastern Connecticut tourism
Waterford, Conn. (December 10, 2020) – The Eastern Regional Tourism District (ERTD) today announced the final funding recipients for the 2020 Regional Marketing Partnership Program. 9 additional programs were approved for marketing grants to promote tourism and hospitality opportunities in Eastern Connecticut. The total funding of all projects, including the initial projects announced in September totaled $202,267 in As winter approaches, we know the season will be very different this year. Inspiringly, many of you found ways to adapt and even enhance the visitor experience at your properties or events for Halloween and Thanksgiving. Now, we want to know your plans for Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, New Year’s and the entire winter season.
In our continuing effort to #SupportCTBusinesses, we want to share what you’re doing with residents and local visitors on CTvisit.com, social media and through public relations.
Tell Launched during the Phase 2 state reopening, the summer So Good To See You, Connecticut campaign wrapped up on Labor Day and the results are in.
While our marketing campaign aimed to help mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on the tourism industry, we recognize that times have been very difficult for so many of our tourism partners. Please know that we remain dedicated to supporting you in whatever ways we can.
We hope you find these results encouraging — as the data does show that marketing can be effective This week, Connecticut’s statewide meetings, conventions and sports events sales and marketing organization boosts its strategic outreach efforts with a dynamic new website that is designed to attract new and returning meetings/events to the state. The Connecticut Convention & Sports Bureau (CTCSB) officially introduced its new website, www.CTMeetings.org, at the organization’s virtual September 23rd Partner/Membership meeting.
“Our website address, CTMeetings.org, remains the same but the platform,
The Eastern Regional Tourism District (ERTD) today announced the first two funding recipients for the 2020 Regional Marketing Partnership Program. ThinkMystic, a project formed in partnership between Mystic tourism entities and attractions, and Wide Open, a program organized by the Last Green Valley Heritage Corridor, each received funding to promote tourism opportunities for their respective regions. The ERTD has been allocated $180,000 for the 2020 Regional Marketing Partnership Program by the
This year’s Big E may be cancelled, but your Connecticut Building favorites are still on!
We’ve created a brand-new Connecticut Building experience so you don’t have to be on the fairgrounds to savor the Big E’s best treats.
Order maple candied bacon kits right to your door or get special deals to visit your favorites in-person — like the famous baked potatoes from Danny’s Smokehouse Grill! You can even order handmade gifts or treats for Fido, all from the comfort of your home. There’s so much to New program to provide matching funds to support tourism opportunities and venues in eastern ConnecticutThe Eastern Regional Tourism District (ERTD) today announced the 2020 Regional Marketing Partnership Program, a program that will provide funding to support eastern Connecticut’s tourism economy. Eastern Connecticut businesses non-profits and municipalities are encouraged to develop marketing plans, which could then be funded by the program if approved. Plans should focus on marketing eastern We’ve resumed our popular “This Weekend” page on CTvisit.com, which promotes events and drives traffic to our tourism attractions.
To let these highly motivated consumers know about your business’ happenings, please create new event listings or update your events on CTvisit.com, whether they are virtual or in-person.
If you want to create a new event listing, please start here. To create new events associated with your existing listing, please log into your account by starting here. If you have any CT Office of Tourism has their upcoming Conference on Tourism where you can learn from national tourism and travel experts on how to bring more to CT's tourist attractions.
Each year, the tourism conference is the biggest gathering of industry leaders in the state. This year, it promises to be packed with even more actionable ideas on how to attract more visitors.
3 reasons you should attend:
• Designed for a wide array of participants: hotels, B&Bs, restaurants, casino resorts, arts and culture
A group of commerce and tourism officials from Connecticut visited Ireland and England in mid-September 2017, completing a tourism trade mission aimed at attracting interest and visitors to our state.This special mission, called Tastes & Sights of Connecticut, succeeded in its directive to introduce representatives of Connecticut tourism and cultural attractions with tourism operators, travel agents and representatives from travel publications in Ireland and England. Those who attended the two events – Eastern CT – The United States Department of Commerce has announced a partnership that includes the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut, the Connecticut Office of Tourism, the Connecticut Airport Authority, and Aer Lingus, which together will participate in a tourism trade mission to Dublin, Ireland and Manchester, UK from September 16-20, 2017.
The tourism trade mission, titled the “Tastes & Sights of Connecticut,” will introduce tourism operators, travel agents and representatives from travel
The State of Connecticut Department of Culture and Tourism is touting the success of its “Still Revolutionary” campaign, and the latest efforts to attract visitors to the state.
Randy Fiveash, Director of the Connecticut Office of Tourism, recently presented a video highlighting this success to the Connecticut Tourism Council.Click here to watch the video. In January 2017, the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut formed a working committee, the Greater Mystic Tourism Marketing Committee (GMTMC), to facilitate and streamline the region’s efforts to grow eastern Connecticut’s legacy as a premier tourism destination. This is being accomplished by engaging tourism businesses throughout eastern Connecticut in regional marketing through advocacy, partnership advertising, and cross-promotional packaging.
With resource support from the Chamber and the Governor Malloy: Economic Impact Study finds tourism contributes $14.7 billion to Connecticut's economy, posts five straight years of job growth in state
Hartford, CT – Governor Dannel P. Malloy and the Connecticut Office of Tourism today announced the results of an economic impact study of the tourism industry in Connecticut, showing total direct and indirect business sales supported by the travel industry reached $14.7 billion in 2015 – a 4.6 percent increase since 2013. The study also shows that A Personal Invitation from Randy Fiveash, Director of the Connecticut Office of Tourism
To all our Regional Tourism Marketing Partners:
Have you registered for the Connecticut Governor’s Conference on Tourism yet? It’s happening Thursday, May 4th at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford — and we hope to see you there.
What's more, we hope you’ll spread the word to your associates, partners and colleagues in the industry. This event is not only the largest gathering of tourism industry Regional partnership will promote this key sector of Connecticut’s economy
Eastern CT – The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT has announced the formation of the Greater Mystic Tourism Marketing Committee (GMTMC), a 12-member group that will facilitate and streamline the region’s efforts to grow eastern CT’s position as the state’s premier tourism destination.
The new committee, a unit of the Chamber, will be chaired by Andy Wood, Senior Vice President of External Relations at Mystic Aquarium. The Committee to collaborate on improving the economic impact of tourism on eastern Connecticut and ensuring a positive customer experience for visitors.Eastern CT – The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut has announced the creation of the Eastern Connecticut Regional Tourism Committee (ECRTC), which will expand its responsibility for maintaining and growing tourism in the Mystic Country region.
The ECRTC will be affiliated with the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut and will serve as the Mystic, CT – The Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center, 109 Pequotsepos Road, Mystic, will offer free admission to all Connecticut residents on Saturday, June 11, as part of Connecticut Open House Day.
In addition, the Nature Center will host a free Pond Exploration program and a free guided hike that day.
2016 is the 11th annual CT Open House Day. The Connecticut Office of Tourism sponsors the one-day statewide event to showcase Connecticut’s diverse world of history, art, and tourism.At DPNC that day
Register for Open House Day June 11
Winter Campaign Delivers Impressive Results
CT Office of Tourism invites participation in Open House Day
Eastern Regional Tourism District selects six recipients for marketing grant
Noelle Stevenson Named New Director of the Connecticut Office of Tourism
CT Tourism: First Winter Tourism Campaign
Governor Lamont Announces Launch of ‘Full Color Connecticut’ Campaign Promoting Fall Tourism Season
Connecticut Convention & Sports Bureau's Brand Refresh to CTmeetings
EDA: American Rescue Plan Grants for Travel, Tourism & Outdoor Recreation Program
Get Featured in Upcoming CT Office of Tourism Content
Results from the #CTDrinksOnUs Campaign
Tourism Venues Encouraged to Apply for Matching Funds
New “Say Yes to Connecticut” Marketing Campaign in the News
Participate in #CTDrinksOnUs
Welcome Centers Reopening May 24 – Send Us Your Literature!
Register to Participate in Connecticut Open House Day
New Summer 2021 Tourism Campaign: Say Yes to Connecticut!
Eastern Regional Tourism District Announces Final Awardees for 2020 Regional Marketing Partnership Program
CT Office of Tourism: Share Your Winter Offerings
Summer 2020 Campaign Results Are In
Connecticut Convention & sports Bureau's New Website Encourages Meeting Planners & Sports Promoters to Bring Business to the State
Eastern Regional Tourism District Announces First Awardees for 2020 Regional Marketing Partnership
Enjoy the Big E — without the fairgrounds!
Eastern Regional Tourism District Launches Regional Marketing Partnership Program
''This Weekend'' Page is Back!
Connecticut Office of Tourism to Host Connecticut Conference on Tourism on April 29, 2020
Business Express: Tastes & Sights of CT Tourism Trade Mission Lands in the UK and Ireland
U.S. Department of Commerce Takes ‘Tastes & Sights of Connecticut’ to UK and Ireland Sept 16-20
Business Express: Connecticut Tourism: Driving Our Economy, Fueling Our Growth
.jpg){kind=logo}
Participate in a Dollar-for-Dollar Tourism Advertising Partnership
Governor Malloy Announces Economic Impact Survey: Tourism Contributes Billions to CT Economy
Have You Registered for the CT Governor's Conference on Tourism on May 4?
.jpg){kind=logo}
Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT Announces Formation of Greater Mystic Tourism Marketing Committee
.jpg){kind=logo}
Chamber Announces New Regional Tourism Committee
Nature Center Offers Free Admission, Free Programs to CT Residents on CT Open House Day, June 11
Tuesday, May 10, 2022
Monday, April 25, 2022
Tuesday, April 05, 2022
Monday, February 14, 2022
Thursday, December 09, 2021
Saturday, September 25, 2021
Saturday, September 11, 2021
Thursday, August 19, 2021
Thursday, August 19, 2021
Monday, June 21, 2021
Monday, June 21, 2021
Tuesday, June 08, 2021
Friday, May 28, 2021
Friday, May 21, 2021
Friday, May 21, 2021
Friday, May 21, 2021
Monday, May 10, 2021
Monday, December 14, 2020
Monday, November 23, 2020
Friday, October 02, 2020
Thursday, September 24, 2020
Tuesday, September 15, 2020
Monday, September 14, 2020
Tuesday, July 28, 2020
Monday, July 20, 2020
Monday, February 24, 2020
Wednesday, September 20, 2017
Tuesday, August 01, 2017
Wednesday, June 21, 2017
Wednesday, April 12, 2017
Friday, March 17, 2017
Friday, February 24, 2017
Wednesday, January 25, 2017
Tuesday, November 29, 2016
Monday, May 23, 2016