Providence Warwick CVB’s New President Adamo on Vision, More Hotels — and Airbnb
Providence Warwick CVB’s New President Adamo on Vision, More Hotels — and Airbnb
Adamo, who said that the CVB’s backbone is meetings and conventions and sporting events, spoke to diversifying how the CVB attracts people to the greater Providence and Warwick areas.
“I envision continuing the spirit of collaboration — maybe getting some new voices, telling some different stories. I think we can do a better job of telling the stories of people of color, more cultural offerings,” said Adamo.
“Younger people especially don’t want to stay in the downtown core. They love downtown, but they want to get out and experience different places and really find the authentic Providence,” said Adamo. “We’re updating [our neighborhood guides], creating little trails based on themes, and we work with a lot of travel journalists and take them out to really explore Providence.”
Hotels — and Airbnb
Adamo spoke to the upcoming years in terms of convention and event bookings -- and increased hotel capacity, and how the CVB is trying to capture how the sharing economy — including Airbnb — fits in the picture.
“We have a robust convention and event schedule coming up in the next two to three years. [2020 and 2021] are gangbusters, and there are times in 2021 where we don’t have any space in the convention center,” said Adamo. “We’re hosting March Madness. We’re feeling really good…the more diverse hotels we have, the more opportunity we have.”
Adamo spoke to the proliferation of transportation — and housing options — in the state’s urban core.
“Transportation is always a big issue, and with the scooters and bikes. Having more transportation for people to get out and explore, that’s the dream,” said Adamo.
"[Regarding Airbnb], where we are in Providence in particular, is aggregating what do we have — that’s what we’ve been working on for the past couple of months,” said Adamo. “How many are there — and what kind of economic impact are they making. It’s becoming an issue in Providence. Who’s booking? If you have a B&B, and you book it through traditional means, we probably will get that tax — but if you do it through Airbnb that goes to a different bucket.”
“The sharing economy is growing,” said Adamo. “It’s something we have to look at on a couple of levels, not only funding — but those our are guests. How do we work with Airbnb to market and get information out?”