AFC Championship to boost RI business

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) – The upcoming AFC Championship game means big business is coming to the Ocean State.

The Patriots earned a spot in next weekend's showdown against the Ravens by beating the Texans Sunday night by a score of 41-28.

Last year, the Renaissance Hotel was the official hotel for the NFL during the AFC Championship weekend, and the league has already listed the Renaissance on their website as the NFL headquarters for this year's title game.

When those two teams met last year with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line, officials and fans filled that hotel and others in Providence, boosting bottom lines.

"It's a win-win. The Pats win and we win, you can't ask for more than that," said Kristen Adamo of the Providence Warwick Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The Renaissance Hotel’s General Manager said that last year their occupancy rates would have never been that high if not for the AFC Championship game during this normally slow time of year for hotels.