49°
Annually, the state generates $11.5 billion in economic activity from tourism and owes 110,000 jobs to the industry, a statement from the governor’s office said. In 2012, the tourism industry saw a 3.9 percent employment growth, which Malloy hopes will improve even more with the state’s revamped tourism campaign.
The first stop on Malloy’s trek was to the Bruce Museum in Greenwich, which features art, science and natural history exhibits. The museum hosts many different exhibits throughout the year.
He also made his way to the Stamford Museum & Nature Center, a place he said he would ride his bike to as a boy growing up in the city. When he was mayor of Stamford, Malloy said he helped to fund a master plan for the nature center and was happy to see it has been moving forward.
“It used to be a great place and has evolved into a greater place,” he said. “It’s all worthwhile taking in.”
The final stop was the newly reopened Connecticut Welcome Center on the northbound side of I-95 in Darien, the service plaza reopened last month after a year of work to completely overhaul it. The Welcome Center serves as a gateway into the southern part of the state.
“This is a much better face for the state,” Malloy said, praising the new Welcome Center after his first visit there. He added that employees at the tourism desk in the Darien center get many questions about places to visit throughout Connecticut.
“This is the No. 1 stop for tourists in the state,” he said.
Connecticut’s tourism board put together 52 in-state getaways for residents and visitors, 11 of which feature stops in Fairfield County towns. View the getaways for yourself here.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Stamford and receive free news updates.
