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3w ago

Connecticut Unveils Pizza Trail, Launches Media Bus Tour as Spending Faces Pushback

State officials cite tourism gains from a yearlong marketing push.

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Connecticut has been touting its pizza on a constant basis. Here, Cheryl Sanderson of Columbia signs the "Welcome to Connecticut : Home of the Pizza Capital of the United States" sign inside the Connecticut building during Connecticut Day at The Big E on Sept. 17, 2025. (Aaron Flaum/Hartford Courant)
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Overview

  • State leaders formally launched the Connecticut Pizza Trail at Modern Apizza in New Haven with remarks from Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz and Mayor Justin Elicker.
  • The initiative published fan-ranked lists featuring a top 20 and a full top 100 pizzerias across the state.
  • A two-day, $9,000 bus tour is ferrying reporters and influencers to nine trail stops, with invitations going to outlets such as Travel + Leisure, Reader’s Digest, Parade and ESPN.
  • Earlier spending included more than $220,000 for 11 New York City billboards carrying the slogan “The Nation’s Best Pizza: Not You, New York.”
  • Officials tout more than $30 million in estimated advertising value and increases in day trips, overnight visits and CTVisit pizza searches, while Rep. Tammy Nuccio criticizes the costs and urges a focus on recruiting higher-wage jobs.