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82 | DOING BUSINESS IN CONNECTICUT | 2019 SPONSORED CONTENT Visitors to Connecticut quickly discover what longtime locals and recent transplants already know. Connecticut is not just a great place to visit, it's an even better place to live, work and raise a family. Connecticut offers a concentration of contrasting experiences simply unmatched in any other New England state — from 250 miles of coastline to 2,000 miles of wooded trails, from leading historic sites to vibrant arts/cultural offerings, from exceptional dining and lodging options to all kinds of family-friendly experiences and attractions. No wonder tourism is big business in Connecticut. In fact, the latest independent study from Tourism Economics reports that visitation to Connecticut drives: • $15.5 billion in sales for business across the state; • $2.2 billion in tax revenues, including $960 million in state and local taxes; • 123,521 jobs supported in part by traveler spending — including 84,254 jobs directly related to the tourism industry. What attracts all that business? Randy Fiveash, director of the Connecticut Office of Tourism, explains, "What draws visitors to Connecticut are the same things that enhance the quality of life here. People love the dynamic blend of complementary experiences that defines Connecticut. You can go from hiking on our scenic trails to enjoying our many arts and culture activities. You can escape to the country or explore our vibrant cities. Better yet, all of those experiences are within close proximity to each other." To check out all there is to see and do in Connecticut, both residents and visitors can explore the state's official tourism website: CTvisit.com. More than five million people each year visit this site to learn more about attractions, hotels and B&Bs, restaurants, upcoming events and more. Any tourism-related business can create its own robust listing page on CTvisit.com for free — which they can populate with their own photos, videos and event information as well as automatic updates from their social media sites. Towns and cities can also easily post their own page on this site for free. To learn more about why Connecticut is such a great place to visit and to live, go to CTvisit.com. Also look for VisitConnecticut on Facebook, CTvisit on Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest, and ConnecticutTourism on YouTube. HOW MUCH DO YOU KNOW ABOUT ALL THERE IS TO SEE AND DO IN CONNECTICUT? 1. What's the #1 longest river in New England? 2. How many state parks and forests are in Connecticut? 3. What's the largest maritime museum in the U.S.? 4. How many miles of the Appalachian trail go through Connecticut? 5. Which two state routes are recognized as National Scenic Byways? 6. What's the oldest art museum in America? 7. What's the National Park located in Connecticut? 8. Where was the hamburger invented? 9. What percentage of Connecticut is forest? 10. In what town is arguably the best pizza in the world? A GREAT STATE TO VISIT, AN EVEN BETTER PLACE TO LIVE ANSWER KEY 1) Connecticut River, 2) 142, 3) Mystic Seaport, 4) 51, 5) Route 169 and the Merritt Parkway, 6) Wadsworth Atheneum, 7) Weir Farm, 8) Louis' Lunch, New Haven, 9) 60%, 10) New Haven!