Rhode Islanders to Explore Their Home State in Award-Winning “Tour Rhode Island, There’s No Place Like Home”

In May, Rhode Islanders can experience exactly what attracts 32 million tourists annually in
this unique opportunity to be tourists in their own state!

Tickets go on sale January 28, 2009, and are available only over the phone by calling AAA Southern New England at 877-874-7845. Ticket prices are $40 per adult and $30 for children 12 and younger. Ticket sales are on a first-come, first-served basis, and past events have sold out. Additional information is available on www.VisitRhodeIsland.com/tourri.

Providence, R.I. – January 28, 2009 – Governor Donald L. Carcieri announced today that the sixth annual Tour Rhode Island, There’s No Place Like Home event will be held on Sat., May 2, 2009 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at various locations throughout the state. This special tour opportunity provides guided, statewide tours for Rhode Island residents.

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“Tourism is one of our state’s most important industries,” said Governor Carcieri. “To be able to visit and experience various regions throughout their own state is a tremendous learning opportunity, and I am pleased to see this event become more popular each year.”

Tour Rhode Island was created out of an idea expressed by Mrs. Carcieri that many Rhode Islanders do not know of the state’s rich cultural and historical attractions and the natural beauty that makes our state so desirable to out-of-state tourists.

Participants select from one of 24 different tours – each focusing on the notables of a specific region of the state. Tours range from the arts and culture of Providence to the natural beauty of South County; as well as an ‘Only in Rhode Island’ tour, a Block Island tour, and a Newport County Winery tour.

Robert Billington, president of the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council, and creator of Tour Rhode Island noted the importance of the in-state instructional tool.

“This program does a wonderful job of educating residents to not only our great attractions and sites,” said Billington, “but also the expanse and quality of our tourism industry.”

According to Global Insights, tourism was the fourth largest industry in the state in 2007, based on number of jobs.

Tour Rhode Island has received many accolades, including the Odyssey Award for Geotourism, and recognition from the National Tourism Association (NTA) and American Bus Association (ABA). As a result of the program, more than 100 tourism partners have learned firsthand how to develop, market, and coordinate valuable group tour packages.

Tour Rhode Island is once again proud to partner with the Rhode Island Community Food Bank to collect food for less fortunate Rhode Islanders. Tour participants are each asked to donate a canned good to support the cause.

Tickets go on sale January 28, 2009, and are available only over the phone by calling AAA Southern New England at 877-874-7845. Ticket prices are $40 per adult and $30 for children 12 and younger. Ticket sales are on a first-come, first-served basis, and past events have sold out. Additional information is available on www.VisitRhodeIsland.com/tourri.

Tour Rhode Island is made possible thanks to the generous support of our valuable partners, including AAA Southern New England, CVS, Johnson & Wales University, Rhode Island Monthly Communications and Whole Foods.

It is said that good things come in small packages, and that rule of thumb may be best applied to Rhode Island. There are few other regions of the country, let alone entire states that can offer such diversity in such a small, manageable area. Newport dazzles with Bellevue Avenue’s history and architecture, Block Island invites relaxation with its’ natural charm, and Blackstone Valley tells the story of the true makings of
America. Based on the idea that many Rhode Islanders have not experienced enough outside of the
communities in which they live, this program is designed to give residents a convenient and affordable opportunity to experience their state as tourists – the way 32 million visitors enjoy doing annually.

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