Tourism is about the experience – whether it’s a complete body-pampering spa immersion or watching the oldest Fourth of July Parade in the country (in Bristol, thank you). Rest and relaxation will always win a hefty share of the tourism dollar, but historical, cultural and natural sights have been gaining a steadily growing share of travelers’ attention and money.
That’s why Rhode Island signed onto the National Geographic Society’s Geotourism Charter – the second state in the union and sixth destination in the world to do so.
Not surprisingly, we are awash in natural attractions, and as one of the original colonies, the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations has a wealth of historical sites. But there is another dimension to the state’s destination status, one that residents sometimes take for granted – the rich culinary heritage it has nurtured for so many years. Happily, many savvy entrepreneurs have been exploiting that expertise to lure tourists – through cooking classes by top chefs; behind-the-scenes tours of Federal Hill restaurants and shops; and marketing and media trips by leading restaurateurs.
After all, history and diversity speak through the foods found in our vibrant neighborhoods. It’s not just about littlenecks and chourico. It’s also about the people whose stories of immigration, resettlement and adaptation are told through the delicious food they share with family and friends – and tourists.