Colchester — Less than five weeks after hyping signs of a banner summer tourism season, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy returned to the region Monday to report that visits to 23 of the state’s leading attractions were up 12 percent over last year in June, July and August.

For the first eight months of the year, visitation was up 3 percent over the same period in 2014, the governor said.

“This demonstrates we’re making gains,” he said. ”Jobs are growing significantly each month, our efforts to make our state a tourist destination are paying off, and the needle is no doubt moving in the right direction. These numbers are significant.”

Malloy delivered the news at Priam Vineyards, where rows of grapevines provided the backdrop. He was accompanied by an entourage that included Catherine Smith, commissioner of the state Department of Economic and Community Development, and Randy Fiveash, director of the state tourism office. Prior to Labor Day Weekend, Malloy had visited Mystic Aquarium to tout a turnaround in state tourism.

Gloria Priam, owner and general manager of Priam Vineyards, said the state tourism office's support has been critical to the growth of her business. Last Friday, she said, the property hosted 365 Herbalife executives at an event that included a sit-down dinner, wine tastings and dancing.

State officials also reported Monday that visitors’ spending increased over the summer, with average spending rising to $906 per family, up 4 percent over last year.

Hotel occupancy and lodging revenues also climbed, especially in the Groton/Norwich and New Haven/Waterbury markets, where occupancy was up 6 and 8.6 percent, respectively.

Ed Dombroskas, executive director of the Eastern Regional Tourism District, confirmed that eastern Connecticut hotel operators had exceeded their expectations for summer traffic.

“They’re all indicating that fall bookings are solid, too,” he said. “A lot of the advance bookings are for Europeans and out-of-state tourists.”

During the summer, the state tourism office’s “Still Revolutionary” campaign featured 130 destinations and targeted residents in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York City and Philadelphia.

b.hallenbeck@theday.com

Twitter: @bjhallenbeck