The state welcomed 72.2 million visitors in 2025, an increase of 3.1% from the previous year, compared with national tourism growth of 1.5%.

That means tourism growth in Connecticut more than doubled the national rate, according to the newly released Tourism and Economics Annual Report.

 

Here’s a few of the highlights:

 

• In 2025, Connecticut’s tourism industry generated $20.1 billion in total economic impact, a 3.4% increase from the previous year, driven by $12.3 billion in direct visitor spending

• The industry supported 125,167 jobs, approximately 5% of all jobs in the state, and generated $1.6 billion in Connecticut state and local tax revenue

• Through June 2026, statewide hotel occupancy increased 4.3%, compared to growth of only 1.3% nationally and a 0.8% decline across New England

 

Our 142 state parks and forests are one of the major attractions for visitors, with Hammonasset Beach in Madison leading the way in popularity for both residents and tourists. Learn about Connecticut's most popular state parks in this article from CT Insider.

 

Recent marketing of special attractions such as the Connecticut Pizza Trail and Connecticut Christmas Movie Trail have also proven to be very popular for visitors.

 

Read more about the growth  of tourism in Connecticut in this article from the Hartford Business Journal.