NEWPORT – Tourism-related spending in Rhode Island totaled $5.38 billion in fiscal 2006, according to a report presented today by Global Insights Inc.

The Waltham, Mass.-based firm was hired by the State of Rhode Island and seven regional stakeholders to conduct the economic impact study. Among its findings:

• Total tourism expenditures in the Ocean State in fiscal 2006 increased 0.8 percent compared with the $5.34 total in fiscal 2005 total.

• Spending in the sector comprised $3.2 billion, or 7.8 percent of the state’s Gross Domestic Product.

•Visitation grew 2.1 percent compared with fiscal 2005, to 17.46 million visits. Leisure travel increased 4.2 percent, while business travel declined 6 percent.

• Tourism generated $1.33 billion in tax revenue in 2006.

David DePetrillo, the state director of tourism, called the study the most comprehensive to date.

Global Insights used a new approach to analyze Rhode Island tourism data: Tourism Satellite Accounting, an international standard ratified by the United Nations and World Trade Organization for measuring the contribution of tourism to an economy.

DePetrillo said the hope is to continue to use the TSA method to evaluate tourism spending in the state, in order to create consistent data and benchmarks for the tourism industry.

The cost of the $56,000 study was split between eight entities: the R.I. Tourism Division; the Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau; the Newport County Convention & Visitors Bureau; the City of Warwick’s Department of Tourism, Culture and Development Department; the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council; the Block Island Tourism Council; the East Bay Tourism Council; and the South County Tourism Council.

Global Insight Inc., based in Waltham, Mass., is a provider of comprehensive economic, financial and political analysis, risk evaluation and economic forecasting services for industries, regions and nations around the world. To learn more, visit www.GlobalInsight.com.