The tourism sector is a major contributor to Rhode Island’s state economy. Typically, however, Rhode Island is thought of as a summer destination since it was once the summer playground of wealthy “Yankees” like the Vanderbilts, who would call one of the destination’s celebrated mansions “home” for the summer. Today, the state is available to travelers on any budget and it is also open year-round, featuring a bustling holiday season that Rhode Island Tourism Director Mark Brodeur discusses in the following interview.

What typically drives visitors to the state during the holiday season? We have a lot of very old and very unique destinations like Newport, where four of the famed mansions are open to the public and decked out with poinsettias and Christmas decorations. Visitors can even see “The Nutcracker” at Rosecliff Mansion. There is also Christmas caroling and the downtown area has more than 100 restaurants and several hundred shops that remain opening during the holidays. Downtown Bristol, which is filled with lots of little antique shops, each year hosts a best holiday decorations contest for locals, so anyone going through Bristol benefits from that. Also, within 40 minutes of Newport is Providence, which offers affordable theater, shopping and more college educated chefs than any other city in America. Many of the restaurants are in historic houses and there’s a European-style plaza that many are built around.

What are the best times in winter to visit? Our peak times for visitors are during the summer months. But there are deals and lots of availability throughout the winter. Rhode Island in winter becomes very affordable Tuesday through Friday. Essentially, winter is shoulder season throughout Rhode Island so visitors will find it to be a very relaxed travel experience that is very accessible and without any competition for a room.

Who is the typical visitor in winter? About 90 percent of visitors in off season are coming from drive markets like New York City, Boston and Connecticut because Rhode Island is such a good deal at this time of year. We also have more college students graduate annually than high school students, so our college families are also major customers in shoulder season as well. We’re also a major destination for couples in shoulder seasons. Generation X and Generation Y are discovering Providence as well as the state’s luxury offerings, while baby boomers love our culinary heritage.

What are some of Rhode Island’s newest tourism developments? 41 North opened on the waterfront in Newport last year with its own marina, two restaurants, 24 guest rooms and four cottages and lofts. In 2007, the Renaissance Providence opened in a former Masonic temple that was abandoned during construction in 1929 because of the Great Depression and then World War I. It was purchased and renovated in 2004 in order to be converted into the Renaissance. In 2012, the America’s Cup Challenge also is coming back to Newport from June 23 to July 1. This will be the only America’s Cup race on the East Coast, so I recommend that travel agents start booking now because rooms are filling up quickly. Plus, the race will be followed by the return of the Tall Ships on July 6, when we typically have up to 10 Class A historic ships in port and celebrations throughout the city.

For more information, visit www.visitrhodeisland.com.

Kerry Medina is executive editor covering hotels and resorts and destinations in the U.S. Northeast for TravelPulse.