Visitor spending generated $1.6 billion in tax revenue in 2013.
Connecticut's tourism industry contributed $14 billion to the state's economy in 2013, a three percent increase from the year before, according to a new economic impact study.
The study was conducted by Tourism Economics and commissioned by the state Department of Economic and Community Development. It looked at the tourism industry's impact on Connecticut's economy in 2013.
According to the report, tourism accounts for 80,000 direct jobs in Connecticut, including the addition of 5,000 new tourism jobs since the end of the recession. Visitor spending generated $1.6 billion in tax revenue in 2013, including a $3 million increase in the lodging occupancy tax, an indication the state is attracting more than just day-trippers.
DECD Deputy Commissioner Tim Sullivan said the uptick in tourism is a direct result of a better economy as well as the state's Still Revolutionary marketing campaign.
"Based on the surveys we conducted, and the folks who have seen the ads, we are seeing a strong connection between the strength of the Still Revolutionary campaign, and to tourism results, so we think it's paying off," said Sullivan.
The tourism study comes just weeks after Governor Malloy proposed cutting the state's tourism marketing budget from $12 to $10 million, and eliminating altogether the state's three tourism districts.
Still, the $10 million investment is a far cry from Governor Jodi Rell's $1.00 investment in the same fund.
Deputy commissioner Sullivan said his office will be able to continue growing the state's tourism industry, even with a $2 million hit.
The next phase of "Still Revolutionary" kicks off at the end of the month.
