Rhode Island Tourism Surpasses Expectations, Setting New Milestones

Published on October 23, 2025

Rhode Island reached an awesome milestone successful 2024 by welcoming a grounds 29.4 million visitors to nan state, signalling a 3.5 percent increase from nan twelvemonth before. The Rhode Island Commerce Corporation besides reported that visitors spent 6 cardinal USD, which was an summation from 7% successful 2023. This maturation indicates nan authorities has go a much appealing recreation destination successful nan United States, which editorially supports nan value of tourism successful nan state’s economy.

The awesome figures bespeak a robust tourism industry, arsenic Rhode Island’s tourism sector continues to expand, generating $8.8 billion successful full economical impact. This boost besides helped to create caller employment opportunities, pinch 88,509 jobs supported by nan industry, marking a 2.1% increase from nan erstwhile year. Notably, tourism jobs now relationship for 13% of each jobs successful Rhode Island, pinch nan nutrient and beverage assemblage unsocial providing 31,089 positions.

Visitor Spending Drives Economic Prosperity

Visitor spending successful Rhode Island successful 2024 reached $6 billion, highlighting nan increasing value of tourism to nan state’s economy. The food and beverage sector saw nan largest stock of this spending, contributing $1.5 billion, aliases 26% of nan full visitant expenditure. Lodging followed pinch $1.3 billion, representing 22% of nan full spend.

In particular, air proscription spending knowledgeable an 11.1% increase, underscoring Rhode Island’s attractiveness to some home and world travellers. This maturation reflects nan state’s successful trading efforts and nan entreaty of its divers tourism offerings, including its vibrant taste scene, historical sites, and coastal attractions.

Tourism Supports Local Businesses and Communities

The maturation successful tourism has had a important affirmative effect connected section businesses, mini enterprises, and communities crossed Rhode Island. As tourism continues to thrive, it supports small businesses, stimulates investment, and creates job opportunities, contributing to a stronger system for nan state. With nan summation successful visitors, nan authorities has seen continued request for some time trips and overnight stays, further contributing to its economical growth.

Governor’s Commitment to Tourism and Economic Development

Governor Dan McKee expressed his restitution pinch nan record-breaking numbers, noting that nan summation successful visitors and spending is simply a nonstop consequence of strategical investments successful destination marketing. He emphasized that Rhode Island’s occurrence is not only astir attracting visitors but besides astir creating a sustainable tourism system that benefits some residents and businesses. Governor McKee stated that nan information demonstrates nan state’s increasing estimation arsenic a must-visit destination.

Secretary of Commerce Stefan Pryor besides highlighted nan value of tourism, noting that it helps create jobs, boosts nan local economy, and attracts finance into Rhode Island’s communities. The tourism sector’s resilience continues to use nan state, pinch expanding numbers of visitors from crossed nan state and astir nan world.

Rhode Island’s Bright Tourism Future

Looking ahead, Rhode Island Commerce is committed to continuing its efforts to beforehand nan authorities arsenic a premier destination, attracting moreover much visitors successful nan coming years. Through ongoing partnerships pinch section normal bureaus, chambers of commerce, and travel-related organisations, Rhode Island is poised to build connected its tourism occurrence and guarantee that visitors acquisition nan unsocial attractions and civilization that nan authorities has to offer.

Rhode Island’s Tourism Industry Continues to Flourish

Rhode Island’s tourism assemblage is booming. In 2024, 29.4 cardinal visitors spent a record-breaking $6 cardinal during nan year. This maturation illustrates nan state’s willingness to put successful tourism and its diverseness arsenic an action for guests. As tourism continues to grow, it will beryllium a cardinal driver for Rhode Island’s economy, supporting section businesses, jobs, and nan value of life for residents.