Connecticut officials are celebrating a good summer for the state’s tourist attractions.
By a measure of visitor numbers at 23 of the state’s top locations, attendance between May and August was up 12 percent over last summer.
Since January, visitor numbers are up three percent year-to-date over 2014. The amount those tourists spent also increased, with the average per party of $906 being a four percent increase.
Hotel stays were also up four percent, beating the national average rise.
August Home Sales Hot
Connecticut home sales recovered in spectacular fashion in August, with a 20.2 percent rise in sales over the same month in 2014. But prices still stubbornly fail to follow suit — the median price of a single family home in the state slid 5.5 percent in the month.
That’s the fifth straight month that prices have fallen this year. Year-to-date, sales are up 13 percent over the same period last year, according to the Warren Group, showing that the recovery trend is being sustained.
Treasurer: Bond Sale Brings "Historic" Demand
Connecticut’s treasurer said the state’s latest offering of transportation bonds drew a historic level of demand from investors. A total of $700 million was raised to fund infrastructure improvements, while $139.8 million will refinance existing bonds to save on debt costs.
Treasurer Denise Nappier said that refunding will result in a saving of more than $18.4 million in debt service over 13 years.
Some lawmakers and business leaders have raised concerns over the level of bonded debt the state is incurring.
