New England capitalizing on Indian operators

Friday, Nov. 15, 2002 | 11:32 a.m.

The two Indian casinos in eastern Connecticut have brought a significant number of leisure travelers to the state from Massachusetts and Rhode Island, according to state tourism officials.

The Associated Press reported that a survey of 1,200 visitors to Connecticut last summer found that 23 percent were from the neighboring New England states, said Ed Dombroskas, executive director of the state Office of Tourism.

The numbers are in keeping with figures provided by the casino operators. Mohegan Sun estimated that about 22 percent of its guests come from Massachusetts, and the Foxwoods Resort Casino, which is slightly closer to Boston, said as many as 40 percent of its customers come from the greater Boston area.

Prior to the existence of Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun, people from the Boston market had little interest in Connecticut as a destination, Dombroskas said.

The challenge is for non-casino tourism attractions to interest gamblers in something besides slot machines and gaming tables. Dombroskos said travelers can be divided into "gamers" and "leisure travelers."

"The gamers are coming to the casino, spending the day and going home," he said. "Leisure travelers are coming to the area and using the casino as part of their overall trip."