Did Connecticut just experience its hottest tourist year ever? You bet!
Visitor numbers skyrocketed in 2023 with a 6.7% increase, a clear sign of post-pandemic resurgence. This influx translates to nearly 68 million travelers exploring the state and generating a historic high of $1.173 billion in occupancy revenue.
Building on this success, Michelle Falcone, Easton resident and Secretary on the Executive Committee for the Western Connecticut Tourism District (WCTD) has a rallying cry for local and regional businesses, as well as tourism enthusiasts: “Get involved!”
Falcone encourages tourism industry members to explore CTvisit.com, the state’s official tourism website, for a free listing, https://ctvisit.com/new-partner-application, and partnership opportunities.
CTvisit recently underwent a major upgrade, featuring enhanced landing pages, advanced search and filter functions, and seamless integration of news and contributor articles throughout the site.
This user-friendly redesign complements the state’s modern rebrand, creating a cohesive visual identity that effectively tells the story of why Connecticut is the perfect place for vacations, careers, business ventures, and even building a home.
The success of CTvisit speaks for itself: the platform reached record highs in traffic and garnered an impressive 11 content marketing awards in 2023.
“CTvisit has consistently ranked among the top five state tourism websites for attracting visitors,” Falcone said. “In addition to encouraging business owners to partner with this award-winning platform, I also invite the general public to subscribe to CTvisit’s newsletters to stay up-to-date on Connecticut activities and upcoming events. And for a daily dose of regional fun, everyone can follow WCTD on Facebook and Instagram.”
Donning many hats within the WCTD, Falcone serves on the regional marketing committee, in addition to championing Easton tourism as the town’s official representative.
“My goal is to get every farm and eatery in Easton listed on CTvisit.com,” Falcone said. “The rise of agritourism has been exciting, and I’m especially enthusiastic about promoting Easton’s farms and businesses, like Greiser’s. It’s not just a fabulous coffee shop and market; it’s a tourism destination in itself, hosting a variety of events like concerts, artisan markets and art exhibits.”
Falcone recently welcomed Rachel Lenda, the new Director of Tourism, and is optimistic about the future under Lenda’s leadership. As the first Connecticut-born team lead in a generation, Lenda brings a deep understanding of the state to the marketing efforts aimed at highlighting Connecticut’s appeal for living, working, playing and “memory-making.”
Falcone said that for those who are ready to delve even deeper into the exciting future of Connecticut tourism, anyone can register for the upcoming Tourism Summit on March 27 at the Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts, https://bushnell.org/shows-concerts/connecticut-tourism-conference.
“Together, let’s make 2024 an even more unforgettable year for Connecticut tourism,” Falcone said.
Western Connecticut: Your Gateway to Adventure
The Western Connecticut Tourism District is your one-stop shop for exploring all the region has to offer. From other charming towns like Easton and historic sites to stunning natural beauty and world-class entertainment, Western Connecticut has something for everyone.
Connect with the Fun: Visit the website,
https://portal.ct.gov/DECD/Content/Tourism/06_About_TourismOffice/Western-Regional-Tourism-District, for travel tips and itinerary inspiration.
Follow on social media, @visitwesternct on Facebook and Instagram to catch the newest happenings and uncover secret escapes.
