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Take Action Now to Support CT Tourism
Tourism marketing in Connecticut is vital to each of your businesses, which is why the CRA has pushed hard this session to increase funding in the state budget for this purpose.
Unfortunately, we are fighting an uphill battle: current state plans would actually cut tourism marketing from $12.1 million in 2023 to $4.5 million on July 1, 2025.
Take Action
The CRA is asking you to get involved by reaching out to your local state legislators to ask them to increase tourism marketing funding. Specifically, Connecticut should set aside 20% of the existing Meals and Beverage Tax to support tourism.
Here’s why we need to support CT Tourism Funding:
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Setting aside 20% of the existing Meals & Beverage Tax would inject more than $20 million into Connecticut’s tourism marketing budget, providing a major boost to our local hospitality industry.
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This change can be done without increasing any existing taxes.
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Currently, none of the 1% Meals and Beverage tax ($107M in 2024) comes back to our industry nor gets invested in tourism. If the tax were removed, there would be no opportunity to benefit our industry by investing in statewide tourism or other programs. Currently, the 1% goes to the state’s general fund.
Legislators hearing directly from business owners in their district is the single best chance we have for ensuring this important change is included in the next state budget. Click here to fill out your information and then feel free to edit the letter with a personalized message, as it will be sent directly to your state senator and representative.
Take Action
Thank you for your attention to this important issue, and for your commitment to supporting small businesses in Connecticut. Together, we can make a real difference.
CRA Advocacy on This Issue
This CRA have been at the forefront of this issue by testifying multiple times at the State Capitol and participating in media interviews.
This February, the CRA headed to Zohara, West Hartford, for a press conference raise awareness of Senate Bill 739 - An Act Concerning the Distribution of the Sales and Use Taxes Imposed on Meals Sold by an Eating Establishment, Caterer or Grocery Store. West Hartford Mayor Shari Cantor, Wethersfield Mayor Ken Lesser, State Senator Derek Slap, and CRA members, including Scott Miller of DORO Restaurant Group, voiced their support for the bill.
The testimony showed the committee the impact of these credit card fees on small businesses, and explained that thousands of dollars could be saved by restaurants and invested back into their businesses.
Read CRA Testimony Here
Sign Up For Advocacy Text Alerts
Sign up for CRA Advocacy Text Alerts to keep up to date with the latest information throughout legislative session.
Including:
- Action Alerts on important legislative issues
- Reminders about industry update webinars
- Invites to industry compliance events
Sign Up Here
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