Developers are shunning luxury hotels in the U.S. as room rates fail to rebound to peak levels and profits are squeezed by the costs of offering swanky amenities such as spas and trendy restaurants. more

Last year, the businesses on Washington Square in Newport found a way to boost foot traffic and sales that had been sitting on the sidewalks in front of their establishments all along. more

When is Rhode Island going to get its just deserts, when it comes to desserts and other fine edibles? more

Rhode Island as a tourist destination is as vibrant and popular as ever, perhaps more so this year. Our state is attracting culinary tourists, boating and sailing enthusiasts and other groups who share common interests, in addition to vacationers looking for a beach getaway. Many who belong to these groups are also discerning travelers seeking a premium level of accommodations. more

Just a year ago, Stephanie Hebert was a long-term unemployed woman in her mid-20s without a college education or high school diploma – exactly the population at risk for chronic joblessness and public-assistance dependence. more

Cranston Area Career & Technical Center students David Vargus, left, and Terrell Paci, right, prepare their menu starter of pesto grilled toast, homemade fresh ricotta, tomato and onion, topped with honey. They were among 34 students who competed March 28 in the 2nd annual Rhode Island Hospitality Education Foundation ProStart Culinary competition at Warwick’s Radisson Providence Airport Hotel. Students from Exeter Job Corps and William M. Davies Jr. Career & Technical High School will move on to represent the state in a national competition. more

The description reads like a reality TV show. Teams of culinary students compete to open, manage and cook in their own restaurant. They will be judged by restaurant owners, chefs and culinary professionals. The winner receives cash and the chance to go on to a national competition to win more cash. more

While the number of Rhode Islanders who visited Twin River declined 9.1 percent from 2010 to 2012 to 161,726, those who came from Massachusetts increased 8.8 percent to 385,348, helping the Lincoln gaming facility gain less than one-half percent in visitors to 582,662 in the time period. more

In a world of tweets, posts and texts, the face-to-face lunch meeting is still a staple of how business gets done in Rhode Island, according to Dale Venturini, president of the Rhode Island Hospitality Association. more

These days it’s not unusual to find a corporate sales force gathered in a meeting room at Newport’s International Tennis Hall of Fame. They’ll listen to a pep talk about upcoming goals, and then blow off some steam hitting balls on the museum’s courts. more