Louise Bishop - Providence Business News

Trolling for dollars: South County Tourism Council hopes artist’s work lures...

Economy 03/22/2024

CHARLESTOWN – After a multi-year delay, a world-renowned artist is bringing his giant trolls to South County, part of a new $123,000 marketing initiative...

Regional tourism leaders optimistic new slogan can be ‘All That’ and...

Economy 03/06/2024

PROVIDENCE – R.I. Commerce Corp. recently unveiled a long-planned statewide marketing campaign, announcing to the world the Ocean State is “All That” and a...

AT THEIR POST: John and Sarah Cullen behind the counter of their gift shop Solstice on Water Street on Block Island. They’re hoping for a very busy summer. / PBN PHOTO/CASSIUS SHUMAN

BRACING FOR THE WAVE: Tourism industry ready for big rebound, but...

Cover Story 06/25/2021

A year ago, John and Sarah Cullen were fearing for the future of their Block Island gift shop. With supply chains choked by the COVID-19...

BEACH HOMES such as this one in Narragansett are hot commodities on the rental market this summer, according to local tourism officials. / PBN FILE PHOTO

Growing number of ‘homestays’ giving R.I. tourism a big boost

Hospitality & Tourism 06/04/2021

Tourism officials in Rhode Island’s shoreline communities are preparing for a bustling summer season based, in part, on the large number of home rentals...

R.I. Commerce seeking tourism marketing leader with local knowledge

Economy 05/19/2021

PROVIDENCE – The R.I. Commerce Corp. is seeking candidates for its chief marketing officer position that have a working knowledge of Rhode Island and...

Tourism councils want state marketing leader with local knowledge

Coronavirus 03/29/2021

PROVIDENCE – Rhode Island’s tourism council leaders believe the state’s next chief marketing officer should be someone with local knowledge, marketing experience and a...

BOTTLE OF VINO: Armando Bisceglia, owner of Bacco Vino & Contorni on Providence’s Federal Hill, serves wine to Sarah Long of Swansea on a Friday night. On Fridays and Saturdays, Atwells Avenue is closed to vehicle traffic so restaurateurs can set up tables outside along the street. / PBN PHOTO/ELIZABETH GRAHAM

TOURISM PIVOT: Struggling industry shifts focus closer to home

Coronavirus 07/24/2020

Ella Gonzalez is used to hearing families from faraway places bustling into the lobby of the Newport Harbor Hotel and Marina during the summer....

DRAMATIC CHANGE: Tom McGinn, captain and president, and Kristin Stone are co-owners of Providence Riverboat. After the company joined the Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau, it shifted its business model from cocktail cruises to catering to the tourism industry and nearly tripled its revenue in the first year, Stone said.  / PBN PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

Tourism: In search of coordination

Cover Story 07/26/2019

The Providence Riverboat Co. once served primarily local customers. Its boats would take groups out on the Providence River for cocktail cruises, leaving from...

POPULAR RACE: Boats skim the water during the Team Vestas Wind In-Port Race in Newport at the Volvo Ocean Race in May 2015. The race contributes to making Newport an attractive touring destination. / COURTESY VOLVO OCEAN RACE/AINHOA SANCHEZ

Eighteen months after the ‘Cooler & Warmer’ debacle, does R.I....

Economic Activity 09/08/2017

When Portsmouth-based Rail Explorers USA, which offers unusual tours on recumbent bicycles along abandoned rail lines, got some national press in late July, business...