Raimondo Decision Is Massive Blow to RI’s $5.75 Billion Annual Tourism Industry
GoLocalProv News Team
Raimondo Decision Is Massive Blow to RI’s $5.75 Billion Annual Tourism Industry
This industry cluster employs 58,267 workers in Rhode Island with an average annual wage of $22,339, according to the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training. Tens of thousands who work in the industry have been forced to file for unemployment in Rhode Island.
The industry generated $5.75 billion to the Rhode Island economy.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST"If you’re planning a very large summer gathering — a 4th of July parade, large musical festival, huge cultural event with hundreds and hundreds of people — you won’t be able to have those events in Rhode Island this summer in person," said Raimondo on Wednesday.
The announcement was a bit of a surprise as Raimondo had only days earlier announced that her administration would have a plan for beaches and parks this summer.
"I’m announcing an effort to reopen parks and beaches as part of the first phase of lifting restrictions," said Raimondo last week, who said she asked Janet Coit at the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management for a "phased" approach.
Most of Rhode Island’s most celebrated events will not take place. The Bristol 4th of July Parade --- the more than 200-year-old celebration of America -- is now canceled.
In addition, the Newport Flower Show, Newport Jazz, and Folk Festivals are now being canceled.
Even Newport’s tourism organization, Discover Newport, laid-off 18 of its 22 employees.
"I’m asking you now to make alternative plans. I know this is going to be really challenging," she added. "If you are planning a wedding greater than 50 people. it’s not likely you’re going to be able to have that in Rhode Island this summer. There’s an outside possibility when we get to August, we might lift restrictions from 50 to 100 — but I want to let you know this now."
The global wedding website The Knot, ranks Newport as one of the top wedding locations in the United States.
"Newport offers the perfect mix of New England charm and old-fashioned glamour. This seaside community was the playground of the fabulously wealthy at the turn of the last century, when captains of industry from Boston and New York built huge mansions meant to rival the castles of Europe on Newport's cliffs. Today, Newport is still a favorite summer destination of the well-heeled, and it offers a plethora of activities from sailing to high-end shopping for wedding guests young and old."
"Later this week I'll be making this guidance more official. For the concerts and festivals who were wondering, with contracts due — concerts cannot happen. Parades cannot happen," said Raimondo. "It’s just not safe, especially if we want to get our kids back to school in the fall."