Download PDF - Sustainable Tourism Lab

The Future of Sustainable Tourism in Rhode Island
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Farming:
• Diversify farm products that are year round and multi-product
• Diversify tourist marketing, more than just the ocean state.
• Create partnership between farmers, attractions, lodgings and marketing websites.
• Get state agencies out of SILO. (Still using old models of Agriculture management &
marketing.
• Agro-tourism unites Agriculture, Economics, Landscape preservation, Health etc.
• Need coordinators who need to market locally.
• State not marketing Tourism – small Biz.
• Promotion & collaboration is needed to keep $ in state.
Sports:
• Need to market bike paths, need connections from hotels to bike paths. Need safe on road
connections & signage.
• Transportation is critical to moving participants around. – Need train, bus to avoid cars
• Need to foster a walking environment / sidewalks at venues – signage/way faring are critical
to out of state visitors
• Need cooperation & collaboration between state, municipal, college, private schools to
facilitate regional/national competition space acquisition.
• Need to package sports experience: polo, luge run
• Non-traditional sports, Newport & Block Island sail racing
• RI needs better aquatics facilities
• Need to cross market so that families who come for a sport tournament are encouraged to
cross back for another sport or to experience “unorganized sports” like hiking, kayaking etc
• Narragansett Bay & rivers must be clean & dredged (as necessary) to encourage water sports.
Marinas need water depth. Good way to attract out of state visitors.
• Need restaurants near marinas
• Develop strategic partnership with other New England cities and towns
• Educate local community on process for hosting events and available resources.
• Hear me and respond (social media)
• Create better value
• Personal, customized, VIP Service
• Transparency
• Green practices (especially at conventions)
• “Show me” (We’re all from Missouri)
Summit Report
43