HARTFORD, Conn. (WTIC Radio)—After a widely successful Summer at the Museum Program, Connecticut is continuing to invest in its tourism industry with nearly triple the amount of funding for a new fall marketing campaign.
"Full Color Connecticut" is a $1.4 million campaign that focuses on promoting the state's fall foliage, autumn activities and other experiences.
"It's a record investment for us in tourism," Interim Director Christine Castonguay of the Connecticut Office of Tourism said.
The budget increase will boost both traditional and online marketing tactics, expanding the campaign's reach to about 33% of its target audience in neighboring states (compared to 10% in years prior) and in other markets like Philadelphia.
Connecticut's Summer at the Museum Program led to significant increases to bookings and attendance at places like Dinosaur State Park which had attendance at over 200% compared to July of 2019.
Some locations saw a tremendous increase in visitor turnout, Castonguay said, "so much to the fact that the New Britain Museum of Art, over the weekend, announced that they will now continue to offer free admission to those 18 and under."
One of the main goals of "Full Color Connecticut" is to keep up the momentum in tourism activity that was seen during the summer. The campaign runs through November 20.
The fall season is expected to be an especially colorful one this year, according to the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP).
"All of the rainfall that we've gotten this summer, I know, has maybe put a damper on some weekend plans for folks but the good news is it's going to contribute to a lot of spectacular fall colors this fall." DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes said.
The state's Office of Tourism has set up a foliage finder online along with activities, events and other locations to explore.
