tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015108249021632388.post4503197852366269048..comments2017-03-18T08:19:09.591-04:00Comments on Straight Up the Middle: Rhode Island must not concede vacationersAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16684572796237463438noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015108249021632388.post-78938227483562216022014-08-23T11:47:06.910-04:002014-08-23T11:47:06.910-04:00The problem is not the money or lack of budget for...The problem is not the money or lack of budget for the Tourism Division. The problem for RI is infrastructure, there is a dearth of good signage, parking, hotels, websites and countless other issues that need updating before we can seriously consider promoting the state more. Unfortunately, the state seems to be going backward in this regard and Bristol is a perfect example. The recent Hope Street project removed well over two dozen parking spots from the downtown, provided almost no new signage, removed crosswalks and is an aesthetic nightmare of Salvadore Dalian proportions. Local officials seemed hell bent on getting the project done and put the needs of RIPTA before the business community and never consulted local merchants for input to make the downtown more tourist friendly. The result is that less tourists are coming now than three years ago and the numbers are dropping. The valiant efforts of Explore Bristol are laudatory but the state of RI across the board has not, nor will in the forseeable future, put more effort into drawing more tourists into the state. The idea that more money will bring more tourists is shortsighted, an overhaul of infrastructure and a plan of how to bring in visitors for the next 10 years is what is needed. Then and only then should we start a P.R. program that is comprehensive and thorough. The problem is that locally and statewide, officials have no vision of what this state should be or could be. Our new state motto should be "Rhode Island! A government for the state, by the state." Ugh. Paul Mhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01050824463825004558noreply@blogger.com