One of the newest trends in tourism is the rise of experiential travel. That's good news for small businesses in a state filled with hands-on opportunities to "live like a local," as Kristen Adamo, vice president of marketing for the Providence Warwick Convention & Visitor's Bureau told PBN in a story on page 18.
The trend is fueled largely by millennials eager for experiences when they travel. And it's creating opportunities for enterprising businesses able to find new ways to explore the state's rich food scene, Colonial history and ocean attractions.
This includes neighborhood food tours and cooking classes. There's a Newport business that allows visitors to experience what it is like to be a lobsterman. Another business drives guests around the City by the Sea in a van, stopping at locations used in films, including "The Great Gatsby," while also allowing them to view parts of the film and imagine what the director saw in the scene.
Rhode Island's quirkiness and uniqueness may be taken for granted locally, but savvy businesses are finding people willing to pay to experience it. •