New Haven, Connecticut has grabbed global attention as one of the world’s top 10 trending destinations for U.S. travelers. Skyscanner’s Travel Trends 2026 report put the city in the spotlight.
This comes after a year-long push to brand New Haven as the “Pizza Capital of the U.S.” It’s a clever campaign that’s given Connecticut’s food scene a real boost and sparked fresh interest in the state.
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From flashy billboards in New York City to record-setting pizza events, the campaign has changed how travelers see the Elm City—and, honestly, the whole state.
New Haven’s Rise on the Global Stage
Skyscanner found a huge 39% jump in flight searches for New Haven between January and June 2025. That kind of surge put the city among some pretty elite travel spots worldwide.
Governor Ned Lamont’s taken notice, crediting the campaign for shaking up Connecticut’s image. Suddenly, the state’s got a buzz as a dynamic, flavorful destination.
From Pizza Ovens to International Acclaim
Connecticut’s tourism team, led by Chief Marketing Officer Anthony Anthony, launched the “Pizza Capital of the U.S.” campaign. They leaned into New Haven-style pizza as the main draw, hoping to spark a movement that would get folks exploring Connecticut’s wider arts and culture scene.
Throughout the campaign, the results piled up:
- 50% more pizza-related searches on CTvisit.com
- 22% uptick in day trips from New York City during the billboard blitz
- A statewide vote to pick Connecticut’s top 100 pizzerias
- And yes, a Guinness World Record for the largest pizza party, right in New Haven
A Marketing Recipe for Success
The team didn’t just play it safe—they got creative. On National Pizza Day, journalists and influencers gathered at BAR New Haven for a true taste of the city.
Locals in Hartford, Norwich, and Stamford caught the buzz, rallying around the campaign and building a sense of statewide pride. Those viral billboards in New York City? They challenged the Big Apple’s pizza bragging rights, got shared everywhere, and kicked off debates well beyond Connecticut.
Connecting Tourists to Connecticut’s Culture
Mayor Justin Elicker pointed out the campaign wasn’t just about pizza. It shined a light on New Haven’s culture, arts, and history, too.
Bridgeport, Waterbury, and Middletown saw more visitors as tourists started exploring beyond New Haven. Mystic’s maritime charm and Danbury’s lively downtown drew in curious newcomers who’d come for the pizza but stayed for the rest.
The Human Side of the Story
Tourists like Chris and Brody Lattin from North Carolina really show what’s happening. They saw those viral reviews, booked a flight, and dove into New Haven’s friendly neighborhoods and, naturally, hot pizza pies.
What This Means for Connecticut Tourism
New Haven’s moment in the spotlight is opening doors for the whole state. Foodies, art lovers, and history buffs are noticing, and more folks are exploring places like Westport, Old Saybrook, and even inland towns like Torrington.
Looking Ahead to 2026 and Beyond
New Haven’s now solidly on the travel map, and Connecticut’s tourism leaders want to keep that momentum going. They’ll need to broaden the story, moving past just pizza to highlight the state’s wild mix of attractions, festivals, and communities.
The campaign’s success has given cities like New Britain and Fairfield a real shot at drawing more visitors and grabbing some national attention.
By mixing mouthwatering pizza with clever marketing, New Haven and its neighbors have come up with a destination branding playbook. Honestly, it’s a model that could help Connecticut shine for years, if not decades.
Here is the source article for this story: New Haven named top 10 trending destination after Connecticut pizza campaign
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