A new wave of tourism?

A task force to be appointed by the governor and legislative leaders will craft proposals to “develop and expand tourist destinations” in Mystic and Stonington. A recent timeline from our regional media:

May 1 2023 : USA Today ranked Mystic as the fourth top tourist destination in the U.S. and it was the only city in New England to make the coveted list.
Luke Hajdasz, Eyewitness News 3

August 3, 2023: Connecticut’s Top Tourist Attraction Debates Parking, Trains and Automobiles
Cate Hewitt, CT Examiner

March 23, 2024: OPINION: Lawmakers propose expanding Mystic tourism
David Collins, The Day

In May 2021, the EDC’s John Godin addressed the elephant in the Tourism room, which is parking, and shared the 2021 study of Downtown Mystic’s situation. Public transportation options, such as the prospect of Amtrak expanding its Shoreline East line to Mystic and Westerly looked sensible then and perhaps can get some traction now.

As Dave Collins reports, the proposed bill is likely coming out of committee this week and heading for the governor’s desk. If signed, the taskforce will have one year or less to develop proposals for enhancing tourism in Mystic and Stonington — and taking the opportunity to improve transportation options for tourists and locals alike.