Gov. Dannel P. Malloy announced Wednesday that the state has paid $100,000 in dues to Discover New England, the official regional tourism website that had removed Connecticut from its map, marketing materials, and efforts because the state withheld its annual payment to the organization.
Malloy, who has been an ardent supporter of boosting state tourism efforts, said it was a “pennywise and pound foolish decision,” to drastically reduce tourism marketing funds, including payments to Discover New England.
Malloy said the money for dues to Discover New England was removed from the budget of the Connecticut Commission on Culture & Tourism last year, but he directed other funds within existing resources to come up with the money.
As of Wednesday morning, Connecticut was back on Discover New England’s map.
“Much broader than a website, however, Discover New England works to raise international consumer, travel trade, and media awareness of New England as a memorable, high-quality, four-season destination,” Malloy said. “Connecticut has so much to offer, and it’s a shame more people don’t know about it.”
