News Summary
Rhode Island reports a successful end to its summer tourism season, with $5.6 billion in visitor spending and 28.4 million visitors. Despite leadership changes in the Commerce Corp, experienced staff are managing tourism campaigns effectively. New attractions like the Rhode Island Troll Trail are enhancing visitor experiences. Breeze Airways’ new base at T.F. Green International Airport aims to further boost tourism growth. However, tourism-related jobs remain below pre-pandemic levels, highlighting the need for sustainable growth in the state’s vital tourism sector.
Rhode Island is experiencing a successful end to its summer tourism season, with industry leaders reporting strong visitor engagement and spending. Anticipated growth in the state’s tourism sector comes despite a leadership void following the departure of the Commerce Corp. Chief Marketing Officer in April 2023. The search for a new leader is ongoing, but experienced staff members are managing summer campaigns effectively.
Recent ribbon-cutting ceremonies on August 24 in North Kingstown, Richmond, and East Providence marked the unveiling of new additions to the Rhode Island Troll Trail, featuring giant trolls crafted by Danish artist Thomas Dambo from recycled materials. These installations follow the popularity of the first two trolls, which were introduced in 2024 at Ninigret Park in Charlestown, that successfully attracted thousands of visitors.
Visitor spending in Rhode Island reached $5.6 billion in 2023, as reported by state-commissioned research. The state welcomed approximately 28.4 million visitors, an increase of 2.2% compared to the previous year. More noteworthy is the fact that visitor spending grew 4.6% year-over-year, significantly outpacing the overall growth in visitor numbers.
The spending breakdown reveals that food and beverage sales accounted for 26% of direct visitor expenditures. Additionally, lodging expenses reached $1.2 billion, making it the second-highest spending category for visitors in the state. Notably, air transportation spending also saw substantial growth, increasing by 10.2% to $328 million in 2023.
In a bid to further bolster tourism, Breeze Airways established a permanent base at Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport in March 2023. The airline plans to invest $160 million and create up to 250 jobs over the next five years, supported by $2.9 million in tax credits awarded by the Rhode Island Commerce for job creation.
The state has been proactive in its marketing efforts as well, launching a $2.2 million advertising campaign in February 2023 aimed at attracting visitors. Despite these endeavors and a record number of visitors and spending, the number of tourism-related jobs remains slightly below pre-pandemic levels, totaling 38,329 jobs—a concerning statistic in light of the increased visitor economy.
Overall, the tourism sector in Rhode Island plays a vital role in the state’s economy, sustaining a total of 86,612 jobs and generating $935 million in state and local tax revenues. The entire visitor economy contributed a total of $8.3 billion in 2023, reflecting a 4.5% increase from the previous year, further evidencing the resilience and growth potential within the tourism sector.
While the current statistics demonstrate a strong rebound in tourism, discussions are ongoing regarding whether Rhode Island is fully capitalizing on its tourism opportunities amidst leadership changes and new attractions. As the summer season winds down, the focus will shift to securing sustainable growth for the future of Rhode Island’s tourism.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- Providence Business News
- What’s Up Newp
- The Boston Globe
- Vogue
- Rhode Island Current
- Wikipedia: Tourism in Rhode Island
- Google Search: Rhode Island tourism
- Google Scholar: Rhode Island tourism impact
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Rhode Island
- Google News: Rhode Island tourism
Author: STAFF HERE PROVIDENCE WRITER
PROVIDENCE STAFF WRITER The PROVIDENCE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREProvidence.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Providence, Providence County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as WaterFire, Rhode Island International Film Festival, and Rhode Island Comic Con. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce and Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in finance and manufacturing that power the local economy such as Citizens Financial Group and Textron. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Rhode Island's dynamic landscape.
