This week on The Bottom Line, RIPR’s Dave Fallon sits down with Discover Newport CEO Evan Smith to discuss the strongest tourism season in recent memory.

Providence Business News editor Mark Murphy, who usually joins the conversation, is on vacation, so RIPR News Director Elisabeth Harrison fills in.

Discover Newport CEO Evan Smith says food and adventure travel are among the new trends driving an increase in tourism.

According to Smith, food travel is taking off in a big way in Newport, and many tourists are increasingly seeking “authentic” experiences. That leaves an opening for new businesses, such as movie tours and kite surfing.

Smith believes the recent increase in tourist numbers follows improvements in the national economy, low gas prices and other factors.  

When to listen:

You can hear The Bottom Line each Friday at 5:50pm.

Do you have insight or expertise on this topic? Please email us, we’d like to hear from you. news@ripr.org

Elisabeth Harrison's journalism background includes everything from behind-the-scenes work with the CBS Evening News to freelance documentary production. She joined the WRNI team in 2007 as a Morning Edition...

Veteran newsman Dave Fallon is behind the microphone Monday through Friday afternoons, delivering the newscasts and assisting with other production. Dave’s experience includes work as a reporter, anchor,...