Participants in the March Travel Index decreased slightly (-0.1%). Attractions posted the strongest performance (+4.1%) and Retail was flat. Welcome Centers were down 0.9% in March, Lodging was off by 1.1%, and Casinos were down 6.7%. Altogether, non-lodging properties, however, posted an increase of 1.2%.

Overall, 46% of March participants posted increases, 4% were flat and 32% were down. It is worth noting, however, that this performance assessment may be somewhat understated as three of four performance outliers were up significantly.

Year-to-date, overall performance in the area is down flat with last year. Attractions (+3.0%), Welcome Centers are flat, Lodging is down 0.1%, Retail is off by 1.4% and Casinos are trailing last year by 5.2%.

According to Smith Travel Research, U.S. hotel/ motels' occupancy rates are down 2.7% year-to-date through March. The State of Connecticut was down 3.9% in March and is flat year-to-date while Massachusetts was down 3.0% in March and has posted a 1.6% increase during the first quarter of the year.

Thank you for participating in this edition of the Mystic Country Travel Index. * Data for the Travel Index is provided by Mystic Coast & Country Members, the Eastern Regional Tourism District, and Smith Travel Research. The purpose of the Index is to provide an early indication of how the region's tourism industry performed in any given month.