Politics & Government

State Launches Contest to Boost Tourism

Connecticut is looking to its residents to help tout all of the fun the state has to offer, according to the Associated Press.

Connecticut's Department of Economic and Community Development is launching a contest asking residents to write about their favorite experiences in the Nutmeg State as a part of a new tourism campaign, according to the Associated Press.

Residents can enter the contest starting on Monday and the winning story will be used to promote the new campaign, which will be announced in April. According to Deputy Commissioner Christopher "Kip" Bergstrom, the state hopes to recreate the success seen by the "I Love N.Y." campaign from the 1970s.

After operating with just a $1 a year budget under former Gov. Jodi M. Rell, the state's Office of Tourism and Culture is now receiving more financial support. According to AP, Gov. Dannel Malloy is hoping to spend $15 million on tourism marketing this year.

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“I’m glad they finally increased the budget from $1 to a nominal budget," State Sen. Carlo Leone, a Democrat representing Stamford and Darien in the 27th Senate District, . "Apparently for every $1 spend on tourism get $3 back, so we should have done this a long time ago."


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