This initiative by Connecticut House Speaker Joe Aresimowicz is intended to grow tourism in the state. It will involve holding meetings and hearings around the state to get input from citizens, businesses and institutions that will then result in recommendations to the Legislature for improvements in how tourism is managed.

Panel is expected to include members representing various tourism interests including conventions, lodging, transportation, cultural organizations, retail and more.

At the kickoff meeting Mr. Aresimowicz said:

“The [tourism] sector is strong, but there are legitimate concerns within the industry that the state has backed off a bit in its support and that we need to recommit to our investment in tourism and attracting visitors to our beautiful state.”

Connecticut tourism has certainly had its ups and downs, including slashing its marketing budget from $4.3M to $1 in 2010, and getting bounced from regional DMO Discover New England for non-payment of dues.

Let's hope this new initiative works.