By Sam Wroblewski 630wpro.com
The city of Newport is looking ahead to a successful summer season after projections released last week show a near five percent increase in tourism from 2014.
AAA says lower gas prices are contributing to more travelers choosing destinations within a four to five hour driving-distance for the Memorial Day weekend and beyond; making Newport a perfect target for travelers from the greater New England area.
Discover Newport CEO Evan Smith says the increase in tourism could not come at a more perfect time following several major renovations throughout the city this year.
“Companies like the Newport Marriot did a total renovation, the Hyatt did a spa renovation, has entirely redone its museum,” said Smith “We’re all spiffed up and ready to shine.”
Smith says in addition to gas prices, a long winter has made vacationers itchy for a change in scenery.
“We think that pent up demand is going to translate into more summer travelers this year; so we’re excited to get the season started and get on with the show.”
Smith says Rhode Island’s city by the sea on average generates about $700 million in tourism dollars annually, and that he is expecting between a four and six percent increase in that figure between Jun and November.
