Discovering the city

Alex Hurd has been appointed as a destination expert at Discover Newport. In his new role, Hurd will assist sales in corporate/association markets that include Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C., as well as areas within western New England. Hurd joined the organization in 2011 as a tourism sales manager, and spearheaded a number of campaigns alongside the city of Newport and the motor-coach travel industry. Some of Hurd’s favorite hot spots in the City by the Sea include the Cliff Walk, Gooseberry Beach and the newly renovated Lobster Bar. He holds a B.S. in business management from Bridgewater State University.

Could you tell me more about your work with the motor-coach travel industry and the city of Newport?

I worked with the city to develop designated drop-off zones with signage for motor coaches visiting the destination. The signage provided communication to motor-coach drivers on approved and safe locations to disembark passengers. We also developed themed itineraries for the group tour market that provide visitors with unique experiences only offered as a group.

What are some of Newport’s selling points for prospective tourists in the Southeast states?

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Newport is a diverse city with so many offerings for meeting attendees. No other meeting destination can offer educational sessions and events at the International Tennis Hall of Fame, a Vanderbilt summer mansion, or the country’s largest coastal fortification, Ft. Adams. Newport provides visitors and meeting attendees with once-in-a-lifetime experiences that combine the workplace with adventure.

Does the city or Discover Newport have any upcoming tourism initiatives?

We work in tandem with the city of Newport and local municipalities to promote tourism year-round. We also host monthly marketing meetings for professionals in the tourism and hospitality industries, which offers professional-development opportunities, networking and a critical information-share element so that our community continues to work together as a team to promote our extraordinary destination. •

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