Connecticut has paid its dues to the the tourism bureau Discover New England, meaning it's back in the regional tourism fold, the governor's office announced this morning.
Under Gov. M. Jodi Rell, the state had stopped paying the dues, and the organization struck the state from its maps and promotional materials.
Now, the governor's office says, Connecticut is back on the map.
"In the past, Governor Malloy has spoken at length about the pennywise and pound foolish decision to drastically reduce tourism marketing funds," says a statement released by the office of Gov. Dannel P. Malloy. "While the money for dues to Discover New England was removed from the budget last year from the commission's marketing budget, Governor Malloy directed other funds within existing resources to be used for Discover New England dues immediately. "
The statement quotes Malloy: "I'm pleased that we could release this money - which had already been allocated to the Connecticut Commission on Culture & Tourism - so quickly and get the state back on the map with its New England neighbors. Connecticut has so much to offer, and it's a shame more people don't know about it.
"Connecticut's exclusion from overseas marketing materials and efforts - and with it, information about the state's cultural venues, tourist attractions and other events - was embarrassing, and spoke to a larger lack of understanding about the decisions we need to make to invest in our state and our region," Malloy said.
Under Gov. M. Jodi Rell, the state had stopped paying the dues, and the organization struck the state from its maps and promotional materials.
Now, the governor's office says, Connecticut is back on the map.
"In the past, Governor Malloy has spoken at length about the pennywise and pound foolish decision to drastically reduce tourism marketing funds," says a statement released by the office of Gov. Dannel P. Malloy. "While the money for dues to Discover New England was removed from the budget last year from the commission's marketing budget, Governor Malloy directed other funds within existing resources to be used for Discover New England dues immediately. "
The statement quotes Malloy: "I'm pleased that we could release this money - which had already been allocated to the Connecticut Commission on Culture & Tourism - so quickly and get the state back on the map with its New England neighbors. Connecticut has so much to offer, and it's a shame more people don't know about it.
"Connecticut's exclusion from overseas marketing materials and efforts - and with it, information about the state's cultural venues, tourist attractions and other events - was embarrassing, and spoke to a larger lack of understanding about the decisions we need to make to invest in our state and our region," Malloy said.