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n e w h a v e n b i z . c o m | A p r i l 2 0 2 3 | n e w h a v e n B I Z 19 Business Banking Products and services to help your business grow. IonBank.com • 203.729.4442 Member FDIC TM digital billboards in the Moynihan Train Hall in Penn Station in New York City. e state is also trying to reach new audiences with some high- profile television marketing and advertisements, including during the NCAA Tournament's Final Four, Rupaul's Drag Race Season 15 finale (3 of the 16 drag queens are from Connecticut – one placing 5th), and a new partnership with Marriott Media Network. "In addition to featuring just how much there is to do in Connecticut, there is significant emphasis on demonstrating the state's inclusiveness and diversity," Bonner said. Key attractions As city and state officials gear up for a successful summer tourist season, leaders at hotels, attractions and museums are doing the same. New Haven aims to draw visitors to its array of museums and art galleries, many of which are free. One of the newest is NXTHVN in the city's Dixwell neighborhood, which in addition to educating artists and curators, offers gallery exhibits to the public. Yale University Art Gallery is another popular destination for tourists, also free. e city offers various hotel options, such as the six-story, 130-room Cambria on Dwight Street, which opened in 2022 and features decor honoring products invented in New Haven, from Frisbees to lollipops. Billed as the nation's first fossil fuel-free hotel, the 165-room Hotel Marcel opened in New Haven in 2022. Part of the Hilton chain, the hotel was designed by Westport architect Bruce Becker. His firm transformed the iconic, brutalist Armstrong Rubber headquarters on Long Wharf into a net-zero hotel operation, with 12 Tesla superchargers and 12 Level 2 EV chargers at the ready. at building was designed by Marcel Breuer, hence the hotel's name. Hotel Marcel General Manager Ben Watson said the venue is excited to welcome some larger groups in the coming months. "In the coming weeks we are launching our new spring menu, opening for weekend brunch, and kicking off a happy hour that we know will be a favorite of locals and hotel guests," Watson said. A tour of the imble Islands off the coast of Branford is frequently a draw for locals and tourists alike. Mike Infantino, captain of the Sea Mist cruise ship, offers narrated tours of the imbles, where, according to legend, Captain Kidd buried his treasure. e Sea Mist operates from May through around Columbus Day. July and August are its busiest season, when it operates seven days a week. "We've rebounded from the pandemic, people seem to have come out of the woodwork," Infantino said. "Most of what we do is repeat business. All our old customers came back, and many new ones. It's been good." In preparation for its busiest tourist season, Infantino plans to offer a daily happy hour cruise to bring in new customers, and a second boat is in the works. n A cruise ship provides a tour of the Thimble Islands archipelago off the coast of Branford. T h e " F i n d Yo u r V i b e " t o u r i s m c a m p a i g n f r o m J u n e t o D e c e m b e r 2 0 2 2 g e n e r a t e d : SOURCE: Connecticut Office of Tourism • 3.3 billion earned media impressions – up 114.2% year over year. • 420 million total impressions – up 31% year over year. • 73% year over year increase in referrals to partner websites sent from CTvisit.com.

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