On the heels of a nationally acclaimed, billion dollar urban revitalization of the 1990's, which gave new life to Providence with a new convention center, upscale hotels, Waterplace Park, a rebuilt Fleet Center, and a world-class downtown shopping mall, the city has entered yet another phase of development. Providence has two new low-fare air carriers to its award-winning T.F. Green Airport (PVD) and three new hotels under construction.

Independence Air, whose hub at Washington Dulles International Airport began eight daily low-fare flights from Providence to Washington DC and connecting cities on August 23rd. With 300 flights daily, Independence Air makes easy connections from Providence to 26 cities across the country. Flights between Providence and Washington will be aboard freshly upgraded planes with leather seating, no middle seats, and expedited boarding and exiting of the planes. Flights range from $59 - $124 one-way.

Spirit Airlines, a leading low-fare airline based in Fort Lauderdale, added service from Providence to eight new markets. Spirit will began non-stop service on October 28, 2004 from Providence to Detroit, Fort Lauderdale, and Fort Myers, with connecting service to Los Angeles, Las Vegas, San Juan, Santa Domingo and Cancun, Mexico. In addition to comfortable Coach class service, Spirit offers Spirit Plus, a low-cost business class with 2-by-2 leather seating, complimentary cocktails and snacks.

According to the Rhode Island Airport Corporation, the recent addition of Independence's eight new flights brought the total number of daily departures at T.F. Green Airport to 134, reaching an all-time peak, up from the 130 departures prior September 11th, 2001. July 2004 was also the busiest month at the airport since August 2001.

Brian C. Whiting, President/CEO of the PWCVB says "Passenger traffic has continued to increase through Providence, and the advent of two new airlines further indicates that demand is up. We are excited to provide additional low-cost options for visitors coming from our major markets."

In addition to the demand for air travel, Rhode Island has begun to fulfill a long-time push for more hotel rooms. Three new hotels are currently under construction in the Providence Warwick area, including two downtown and one near the airport.

A new luxury hotel will be created by a $77 million restoration of the historic Masonic Temple in Providence -- the largest restoration in Rhode Island history. The majestic landmark building, whose construction was abandoned by the Scottish Rite Freemasons on the eve of the Depression in 1929, will be converted into a luxury four-star Renaissance hotel, featuring 274 guest rooms, 10,000 square feet of ballroom and meeting space, a restaurant and lounge. The hotel, expected to complete in 2006, will be known as the Renaissance Providence Masonic Temple Hotel. It is adjacent to the VMA Arts and Cultural Center and the Providence Place mall, which is connected to the Rhode Island Convention Center.

In addition, the new Hotel Providence, a historic boutique hotel offering 80 rooms within walking distance of the Rhode Island Convention Center, has its opening planned for November 2004. The hotel features over 4,200 square feet of meeting and banquet space, including catering by L'Epicureo, one of Providence's finest continental restaurants, which moved from Federal Hill, the Italian section of Providence, into the new hotel. The Hotel Providence is just steps from the Providence Performing Arts Center, which features Broadway shows and concerts by popular musicians.

Finally, visitors to the bustling airport district will have another option to choose from as the Hilton Garden Inn opens in 2005. The Hilton Garden Inn offers 160 guest rooms, over 1,500 of meeting space and is located along a main access route leading directly to the airport entrance. The hotel offers a full service restaurant and lounge as well as room service, two airport shuttles, indoor pool and whirlpool, fitness room, guest laundry and valet service, business center, 24 hour pavilion pantry convenience mart and many other first rate amenities.

On top of all of the new hotel space, the Crowne Plaza Hotel at the Crossings, with Rhode Island's largest in-hotel meeting, banquet and conference facility space, has begun a complete property renovation. Exterior and public spaces already completed include all new exterior lighting, driveway and parking lot reconfiguration, lobby wall covering, millwork and art enhancements and upgrades, as well as carpeting in Remington's Restaurant and Alfred's Lounge. Work will begin during the winter of 2004-05 on guestroom and corridor renovations, to include all furniture, softgoods and guest bathrooms. With these renovations completed, and featuring the Crowne Plaza Hotels and Resorts Meetings Initiative and Sleep Advantage Program, the hotel solidifies its position as the premier suburban/airport destination for upscale meetings and conventions in Rhode Island.

With all of the hotel space being added and the increased capacity of TF Green airport, Providence (and all of Rhode Island) is on its way to becoming not just a tourist destination, but when the existing hotel space, Rhode Island Covention Center, and the adjacent "Dunk" stadium is considered, the state is a serious contendor for conventions and conferences.

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