Rhode Island’s fall foliage creates a great backdrop for locals who want to experience nature’s colorful palette through various activities, but it also attracts tourists who come from farther away than an average Northeastern day tripper.
The R.I. Division of Tourism estimates that about 3,000 to 3,500 motor coaches visit the state each year in the fall. Some are day trippers from other New England states, New York and New Jersey. But some are one-to three-night visitors from the Midwest. And some come from as far away as the American West and Europe.
“And since reservations are booked and deposits made so far in advance, we are assured these groups will be coming regardless of the amount of color on the trees … unlike the casual weekend guest,” said Katrina White, travel trade manager for the Tourism Division.
White estimates the fall motor coach tourists spend about $8 million per season. Newport is still the biggest draw, she said, but more and more, Providence is becoming a popular draw, especially for European travelers – mostly from England and Germany – interested in the art and theater the city has to offer.
“Quite a few groups are starting to discover the smaller villages like Bristol and Wickford,” White added. “A lot of groups are going to the Blackstone River Valley … as well.”
South County Tourism Council President Myrna George said the southern half of the state appeals to the European market for leaf peeping. A German travel writer recently named Silver Lake Cottage Bed & Breakfast in Wakefield the most romantic bed and breakfast in all of Rhode Island, she said.
As for local Rhode Islanders, George said, the tourism council gets several calls from people looking for the best places for biking, hiking and kayaking. She added that the unseasonably warm September and October months have extended the golfing season and visitation to farms that promote fall events in South County.
White said for the past four years the Tourism Division has been working with the R.I. Center for Agriculture Promotion and Education to help the state’s farmers create fall programming, such as apple picking, corn mazes and hayrides. Farms are also being encouraged to think about amenities such as food service, restrooms, and gift and souvenir shops that could boost revenue for them.
“More farms are getting into it,” said David R. DePetrillo, director of tourism for Rhode Island.
The state’s agritourism events and fall festivals, such as the 18th Century Corn Husking Festival at Smith’s Castle, one of the largest Narragansett Plantations, are all the kind of geotourism activities “we want to encourage and do encourage,” DePetrillo said.
“We really promote Rhode Island against the backdrop of fall,” he added. “People want to be more active on vacation. … They can visit the RISD Museum, the historic houses … visit the festivals in addition to seeing the foliage.”
White added that the demographic of the motor coach tourists is changing as well. More baby boomers are entering the market, which is still dominated by seniors.
“These visitors are … interested in learning about and experiencing local cultures … which bodes well for Rhode Island’s geotourism commitment,” she said.
Gov. Donald L. Carcieri signed the National Geographic Society’s Geotourism Charter in May. The state convened the first meeting of the Rhode Island Geotourism Collaborative last month to discuss the ways to promote the state as a geotourism destination for travelers.
“What it really calls for is for us to recognize what is great about the state, what’s authentic,” DePetrillo said. •
