Matthew Haynes does not have a drop of Italian in his blood. But that hasn’t deterred him from donning the persona of a Venetian gondolier, complete with the pseudonym “Marcello,” as he guides locals and tourists along the Providence and Woonasquatucket rivers on one of La Gondola Providence Inc.’s signature tours.
It’s more than just an act, though. The Rhode Island native and business owner has done his homework. He studied first under the company’s former owners, applying his college crew-team skills to maneuvering the 1,500-pound vessels through the waters of Providence. In the two decades since he started working on the gondolas, Venetian culture has become a passion; he’s traveled to Venice five times, taught himself Italian and memorized much of the historic Italian city’s history in order to recite facts to clients on tours.
“We take very seriously the idea that we are not just ambassadors for the city of Providence but also Venice and Venetian history and culture,” he said.
His passion for the craft and culture of gondolas has steered his direction as a small-business owner, making up for his lack of formal education or experience in the business world. A former high school physics teacher who left his “dream job” at his alma mater Ponaganset High School to run La Gondola Providence, Haynes said much of his know-how has come from on-the-job experience.
He has taken a cautious but strategic approach to growth: keeping the number of boats – he has four now – and gondoliers in balance to the demand while promoting new offerings such as special trips for weddings and engagements alongside the regular, daily trips and those tied to WaterFire Providence.
The COVID-19 pandemic has rocked the 2020 season, delaying the beginning of the seasonal business from April to June. Cancellation of WaterFire events, which bring in a considerable amount of the company’s business, dealt a significant hit, exacerbated by drops in the day-tripping tourists who make up the bulk of his customers.
Still, Haynes was optimistic. The 36-foot-long gondolas are ideal for maintaining social distancing, and a natural crowd-limiter – at most, the boats can fit up to six guests plus two crew members, and a musician.
Haynes also planned to eliminate packages associated with WaterFire, as well as those with complimentary food and wine to reduce risks posed by touching shared containers. But even the two more-basic 40-minute tours will continue to be tailored to the customers, a philosophy fundamental to Haynes’ business approach.
“There’s no cookie-cutter experience,” he said. “We really try to read the group we have. Sometimes they want a lot of history. Sometimes all you have to do is shut up and row.”
Just like each trip is unique, so too are the customers, who range from families to wedding parties, out-of-towners and locals. A few loyal customers return each year, though most are the “one and done” variety, Haynes said.
Regardless of who comes aboard, he makes it his mission to share his love and passion for Venice with them.
OWNER: Matthew Haynes
TYPE OF BUSINESS: Gondola tours
LOCATION: 1 Citizens Plaza, Providence
EMPLOYEES: 16
YEAR ESTABLISHED: 2007
ANNUAL SALES: $300,000 (2019)
Nancy Lavin is a PBN staff writer. Contact her at Lavin@PBN.com.
