| What Kind of Ship Never Sails Alone? Partnership! |
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 Partnership was the theme of the 16th Annual Celebrate South County Day to kick off National Tourism Week Tuesday, May 13th at the Rhode Island State House. Chowder and Johnny Cakes were enjoyed by Legislators and General Officers, as well as visitors touring the State House, not only from Rhode Island but Denmark and Germany too! Karen Cooke, SCTC Marketing/Promotion Manager, coordinated this year's celebration and a special thank you goes out to Yawgoo Bakes & Barbeques, Kenyon Corn Meal Company, Del's Lemonade of South County, Langworthy Farm Winery, Nana's Ice Cream & Gelato Café, Hampton Inn Coventry, B&B Referrals of South Coast, Cracker Barrel, Charlie's Sugarhouse, Earth Essence Herbals, Babcock Smith House Museum, General Nathanael Greene Homestead, Seabee Museum, USS Saratoga, The Cultural Coalition of South County, Friends of the Kingston Station, Interstate Navigation/Block Island Ferry, US Fish & Wildlife Kettle Pond Visitors Center, RI Resource Conservation & Development, Charlestown Chamber, North Kingstown Chamber, South Kingstown Chamber, Greater Westerly/Pawcatuck Chamber, RIEDC/Tourism Division, Providence/Warwick CVB, Blackstone Valley Tourism Council, Warwick Department of Tourism, Culture & Development.
And a big shout out and thank you to Sweenor's Chocolates of Wakefield for their donation of SCTC branded symbol of South County - the scallop shell in sumptuous chocolate - as a representation of the occasion to all our Legislators and General Officers. What sweeter way to say join us in...Celebrating South County Day...and the rest of the State! Again, Sweenor's the perfect touch! |
| "Authentic South County" |
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 Over 400 people attended the 23rd Annual Rhode Island Tourism Unity Luncheon organized by the State Division of Tourism on Wednesday, May 14, 2008 at the Westin Hotel in Providence. The annual gathering of tourism and hospitality colleagues from every tourism region celebrated the contributions of the tourism industry to Rhode Island's economy. Governor Donald L. Carcieri joined tourism officials in honoring organizations and businesses who have worked diligently to preserve and enhance Rhode Island's customs and traditions, exceptional culinary assets and rich heritage.
South County Tourism Council honored Aunt Carrie's with this distinction. During the presentation with Governor Carcieri, South County Tourism Council President, Myrna George, said "Aunt Carrie's has been delighting residents and visitors with delicious and unpretentious delicacies for generations. Four generations, to be exact. Elsie Foy's family has carried the secret recipe of prize-winning clam cakes, which have provided many from both near and far with just the right flavor of "authentic South County". Thanks for the memories! |
| Whistle While You Work |
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The 22nd Annual Whistlestop Tour pulled into South County this year and over 30 tourism partners from throughout the state saw for themselves what inspired one of our foremost portrait painters of all time at the Gilbert Stuart Birthplace and Museum in North Kingstown. Graciously welcomed to the historic grounds, the group continued across the rest of the state, visiting one attraction chosen by each region.
Trade shows, including Discover New England, have provided leads to our accommodations and attractions. Discover New England is one of the finest international marketing opportunities to promote South County right here in New England. More than 30 contacts were made and have been distributed.
The National Tour Association Culinary Adventure of New England fam tour, in collaboration with RIEDC/Tourism Division and other regions, provided South County Tourism Council the opportunity to co-sponsor the fam tour dinner and the ability to meet visiting tour operators. The group also toured Kenyon's Grist Mill and enjoyed a Johnny cake demonstration. Coverage of the fam tour will be included in an upcoming issue of Courier Magazine, NTA's monthly publication.
Tour Rhode Island, which is a collaboration of all regions with the State Division of Tourism, requires many hours of planning. This year a $13,000 video podcast project took place during South County's tours. A podcast is a series of digital-media files which are distributed over the Internet using syndication feeds for playback on portable media players and computers. Video footage was taken specifically highlighting South County's attractions, and the final version will be posted on SCTC's website for visitors to download.
Working together really does make good things happen!!! |
| Good - Better - Best - Never Let It Rest |
 Improvements have been planned and implemented on South County Tourism Council's website, www.southcountyri.com. Added is a new interactive, downloadable version of South County Style Vacation Planner with 3D flip pages. This added feature provides visitors with the convenience of trip planning, and will provide exposure to a wider national and international audience, which is added-value to our advertisers. Speaking of worldwide, SCTC recently received a hand-written request from a tour operator in Tulbaugh, South Africa requesting information about the South County region! It goes to show...our reach is growing and this reinforces the importance of continually providing visitors with good - better - best! Never letting it rest is evident in the changed seasonal photography on our website. Check it out...summer cometh! |
| Cheers To... |
The Village Inn in Narragansett, Melissa Ashley Brides Ltd. in Westerly, Scrumptions in East Greenwich, Hisa's Flowers in Narragansett, Moondance Productions in Narragansett, Bridal Garden in East Greenwich and Quidnessett Country Club in North Kingstown - The Knot's "Best of Weddings 2008" winners.
The Stagecoach House Inn, Haddie Pierce House B&B, Eden Manor, Admiral Dewey Inn, Woody Hill B&B, The Villa and Crosswinds Little Farm for the positive online visitor reviews.
Sugar Loaf Hill B&B, Bluebird Café, Up River Café and Other Tiger - Yankee Magazine's 2008 Editors' Choice winners.
Arcadia Management Area in Exeter - Yankee Magazine's
"6 Places You Won't Want To Miss".
The Chester House in Westerly's Grand Opening as a branch of Amalfi's/Village Inn family.
Scarborough State Beach for being featured in a 4-page article in the July/August issue of Yankee Magazine.
Eben Horton's Glass Station in Wakefield for being featured as one of the "25 People You Must Meet This Summer" in Yankee Magazine's July/August issue. |
| Activities - Attractions - Allure |
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Do you have photography or do you know an amateur photographer who has captured the breath and beauty of South County? Well, gather them together (go ahead, take a shot too, we know you want to) and aim for the 7th Annual South County Tourism Council's Photography Contest. This year's prizes will total over $1,000!
We are looking for photography capturing activities, attractions and the allure in South County during the winter, spring, summer and the fall. The South County Tourism Council region includes the eleven towns of Charlestown, Coventry, East Greenwich, Exeter, Hopkinton, Narragansett, North Kingstown, Richmond, South Kingstown, Westerly and West Greenwich. The deadline is August 6, 2008 by 5:00pm. Presentations will be made at a press conference and reception at the Courthouse Center for the Arts in Kingston on Wednesday, August 20 from 6:00 to 8:00pm. The winning photographs will remain on display through September 10.
For an entry form and contest rules please email info@southcountyri.com, visit www.southcountyri.com, or visit the South County Tourism Council office at 4808 Tower Hill Road, Suite 101, Wakefield, RI 02879, Monday through Friday from 9:00am to 5:000pm.
South County Tourism Council has been truly inspired by the photography capturing South County's unique "quality of place" created over the past years. The photography reflects a true sense of pride captured by those who love their subject and we look forward to this year's entries! |
| You Can't Beat Free Promotion! |
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Please feel free to drop off your brochures at South County Tourism Council's Visitors Center at 4808 Tower Hill Road, Suite 101, in Wakefield. The Stedman Government Center is a busy place and welcomes an average of 200 people per day. Our brochure rack is in the foyer of the building and is a free service to all tourism partners. | |
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Did You Know?
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If tourism did not exist, each Rhode Island household would pay $1,140 more in taxes each year.
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Each visitor generates $174 in wages paid to Rhode Island workers employed across an array of industries.
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Every 166 visitors create a new job.
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It takes only 239 visitors to pay for 1 Rhode Island public student for one year.
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