03/21/09 - Mark Brodeur, director of tourism for the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation, told the Block Island Tourism Council Wednesday that there are 50 million people living within 300 miles of Rhode Island, and he is “optimistic” that the state is in “a sweet spot for travel this year.” This is especially true for the “drive market,” he said.

Given the economic climate, Brodeur said his feeling is that potential vacationers are waiting to see how things play out once the stimulus act begins to take effect.

“There’s 10 percent unemployment; that means there’s 90 percent employment,” he said, pointing out that potential vacationers will need to be reassured that things are better in the economy before they will commit to a vacation.

In 2007, according to Brodeur, Block Island accounted for 12 percent of the state’s accommodations income, which he said was remarkable (as compared to 26 percent for Newport). Tourism makes up 5 percent of the state’s economy, he said, but accounts for 12 percent of all taxes collected at the local and state level.

Each Rhode Islander would have to shoulder an additional $1,350 of taxes a year if it weren’t for tourism, which he said is the most “heavily taxed industry” in the state.

For Block Island, he stressed marketing on the web, because research shows that most vacationers prefer to do their own research and make decisions based on recommendations and from what they read on travel blogs.

He also suggested creating a presence on social networks such as Linkedin, Twitter and Facebook.

Tourism Council member Brad Marthens asked Brodeur for any help he could provide with the state Legislature to promote Deepwater Wind’s proposed wind farm off Block Island. Marthens said that utility bills — “$20,000 for a month” — were making doing business on Block Island untenable.

Marthens also allowed that, while his businesses — the Atlantic Inn and Eli’s — are staying busy, especially on weekends, so far this year room bookings beyond weddings have been coming at a slower pace. He said he and other innkeepers might have to modify three-night minimums that have historically been the norm on the island.

Council President John Cullen explained that he’s ordering for his retail stores as if it will be “business as usual” this summer. He said he’s found that shoppers react negatively to stores thin on merchandise. He mentioned his other concern that six retail spaces as well as the Surf Hotel sitting empty in town was “not a good reflection” on the island’s state of affairs.

Broduer said that tourism-related retail sales were down 11 percent in the state last year, with most of that revenue being redirected to transportation and accommodation.

He noted that during the Depression, people still flocked to the movies. Similarly, in the current recession people are still going to restaurants simply to get out of the house, though they are being selective in their ordering.

Brodeur encouraged the council to follow-up on member Shirley Kessler’s suggestion of trying to draw Newport jazz and folk festival attendees to Block Island. Indeed, he said there is still much to be said for promoting a “state-cation,” as there are many Rhode Islanders who have yet to visit Block Island, much as many inhabitants of the East Bay have never gone to the beaches in South County.