Rep Stripp Urges Public Support

For Tourism Web site Bill

HARTFORD —  A bill that would strengthen the state’s tourist industry by establishing an interactive internet Web site at the Office of Tourism within the state Department of Economic and Community Development to help visitors plan trips to Connecticut was approved Tuesday by the General assembly’s Commerce Committee, state Representative John E. Stripp, R-135th District, a committee member, said today.

The bill would provide $100,000 in state bond funding to the Tourism Office to set up the trip-planning system. The Web site would help visitors to Connecticut develop customized touring itineraries. The itineraries would be put together on the basis of visitors’ interests, trip dates, available time and budgets, said Rep. Stripp, who originally proposed the legislation.

The bill was referred to the General Assembly’s Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee for further action.

“Over the past few years, tourism has become extremely important to Connecticut’s economy,” Rep. Stripp said. “It has become especially critical to the northeast and southeast sections of our state where many defense jobs were lost during the last decade. There are literally thousands of historic and recreational sites in Connecticut that are attracting more visitors every year.”

“However, if Connecticut is to realize its full potential as a visitor destination, we have to make it easier for out-of-state residents to find out what we have to offer,” Rep. Stripp said. “This legislation will do just that. It will give anyone with access to an Internet computer all the information they need to know about things to do and places to visit in Connecticut. The Web site can be established at a relatively modest cost – and it will be more than repaid in the years ahead.”

“[This bill] wisely anticipates the needs of the traveling public and the opportunity afforded Connecticut’s destination marketing organizations by the Internet,” said Steven Paganelli, executive director of the Coastal Fairfield County Convention and Visitor Bureau, in testimony before the Commerce Committee on the legislation.

“It will stimulate further growth in Connecticut’s tourist industry, bring in millions in new revenues, and create thousands of direct and indirect jobs in areas of the state where they are needed the most,” Rep. Stripp said. “However, for this legislation to have any chance of enactment, it must first be approved by the Finance Committee. I would urge everyone who is concerned about the future of our state and its economy to call or write Finance Committee members and urge them to support this bill.”