In 2002, Providence Business News published an opinion piece that called for cooperation among the various visitor attractions in the Ocean State, something that would maximize the potential of the tourism industry.
A decade later a larger examination revealed that underfunded efforts by the state to promote the many tourism districts here were limiting the potential growth of the industry.
A little more than a year ago, PBN asked, “Can R.I. be a year-round destination?” in a cover story, as tourist attractions looked to move the state beyond its seasonal past.
With a new marketing chief at the R.I. Commerce Corp., what comes to the fore is the quest for a strategy that binds all the various aspects of tourism in Rhode Island, while allowing each of them to promote their own distinct assets. Accomplishing that will not be a simple task.
For the moment at least, resources seem to be less an issue than they once were. And the recent “Fun-Sized” marketing pieces also seem to have been both well-received and successful in creating buzz [and increased visitors to the Ocean State].
One common theme in the current process is the need to create a long-term plan and then stick to it, despite a fractured response to the concept in the industry.
Is it possible for Commerce RI to convene the often-competing tourism districts and hash out a plan? Oh, and include the General Assembly in the process, too?
As the state looks for success stories, perhaps it’s more important than ever that tourism moves toward the front of the line among the many priorities in Rhode Island.