PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — Gov. Dan McKee announced Wednesday that nearly 30 million tourists visited Rhode Island last year.

The record 29.4 million visitors is a 3.5% increase from the previous year, the governor's office said.

According to new data from Tourism Economics, those visitors spent $6 billion, an increase of 7% over the prior year, and supported more than 88,500 local jobs.

"We continue to build on our progress and deliver jobs for Rhode Island, and these new visitor numbers are evidence of that," McKee said in a press release. "Through our unprecedented and strategic investments in destination marketing, we're showcasing our state's unique appeal. Rhode Island is truly 'All That'—and the world is taking notice."

Of the $6 billion spent last year, food and beverage account

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