Sunday marks the beginning of this year’s U.S. Travel Association National Travel & Tourism Week where Visit St. Pete/Clearwater (VSPC) and tourism partners from around the country will celebrate the Power of Travel.
And after COVID-19 decimated the entire travel and tourism industry, it’s never been more important to emphasize the No. 1 employer in Pinellas County, tourism.
So, starting Sunday landmarks across Tampa Bay will be lit red to celebrate our industry. In St. Pete/Clearwater, look for Tropicana Field to light red from 8:30-10:30 p.m. on Sunday, the Sunshine Skyway Bridge on Wednesday and others like the St. Pete Pier, The Birchwood and The James Museum to glow red all week. Join the celebration by lighting your business red, too.
On Tuesday, VSPC and Visit Tampa Bay are kicking off the inaugural Pineapple Cup | Battle of the Bay with a shuffleboard tournament as a way to build comradery with our counterparts in Hillsborough County.
On Wednesday, VSPC President/CEO Steve Hayes is speaking at the annual Tampa Bay Beaches Tourism Luncheon alongside U.S. Travel’s Roger Dow and Visit Florida’s Dana Young.
On Thursday, virtually join VSPC as Hayes and HCP Associates share plans on the development of a new 5-year strategic plan, including how you as a part of the St. Pete/Clearwater tourism community can take part in shaping the priorities and future of our organization and destination. REGISTER HERE.
We’ll culminate the week on Friday with a travel rally at St. Pete/Clearwater International Airport (PIE) with our chamber partners, Creative Pinellas, The Dali Museum and Morean Arts Center greeting arriving passengers and celebrating tourism’s place in our community.
Want to join in celebrating National Travel & Tourism Week? Here is U.S. Travel’s toolkit, complete with logo, social media graphics and more.
Below are other relevant updates:
LATEST ON COVID-19 VACCINES, FACE COVERINGS
Pinellas County has vaccinated more than 420,000 residents with at least one dose and the county is encouraging those who have received it to share your story and information to help with boosting vaccine confidence in the community. In addition to the county’s new Pinellas Vaccine Confidence Toolkit for businesses and community partners to utilize, here are some suggestions on how people can share their vaccine story:
• Update your Facebook profile picture with a frame to tell your friends. You could also take a selfie to share your story. Be sure to tag #VaccinatePinellas.
• Share the facts from trustworthy sources, like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) FAQ page, CDC’s Myths & Facts and Get Vaccine Answers.
• Share where others can get the vaccine. The county has significant appointment availability through PatientPortalFL.com, which offers the Pfizer vaccine for those 16 and over. Curious what the process at the county site is? Watch this video. There are a number of other locations residents can get the vaccine at, too.
In addition, the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners will hold a public hearing on May 11 to consider repealing or amending the County ordinance requiring face coverings within public places and certain restrictions within restaurants and bars. Residents have multiple options before or during the meeting for offering public comment.
Nationally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has updated its guidance saying that Americans, vaccinated or not, do not need to wear masks outdoors while walking, running or biking alone or with members of their household.
Internationally, the U.S. State Department has added at least 116 countries to its Level Four: Do Not Travel advisory list citing very high levels of coronavirus infections. The European Union is expected to allow vaccinated American travelers to visit beginning this summer, according to recent reports.
NEW SBA RESOURCES AVAILABLE FOR RELIEF
The Small Business Administration (SBA) has successfully reopened the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant application portal. U.S. Travel has produced a program overview here. In addition, the SBA rolled out a new round of Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) grants---known as Supplemental Targeted EIDL Advances---providing up to an additional $5,000 per applicant for small businesses located in a low-income community with 10 employees or less and at least 50% decline in revenue. And finally, the SBA’s Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) application opened today.
LONGTIME TDC MEMBER TONY SATTERFIELD STEPS DOWN
After recently retiring from the Alden Suites, long-time Tourist Development Council member Tony Satterfield stepped down from the board. Satterfield spent 16 years guiding Visit St. Pete/Clearwater in the advisory role and his industry and destination knowledge will be missed. You can watch Satterfield’s parting words and comments from the TDC here.
COUNTRY MUSIC ARTIST CHRIS LANE SHOOTS NEW MUSIC VIDEO IN DESTINATION
Country music artist Chris Lane's new music video for "Fill Them Boots" was shot in St. Pete/Clearwater in cooperation with our Film Commission. You'll recognize the beautiful beach at Fort De Soto Park and Trip's Diner in St. Pete. Stay tuned for the second video also shot locally.
SUN COUNTRY ANNOUNCES NEW NON-STOP ROUTE FROM MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL TO PIE
Earlier this week, Sun Country Airlines announced it will add a new nonstop route from Minneapolis-St. Paul into St. Pete/Clearwater International Airport (PIE). The new seasonal route will begin Nov. 25, 2021 and operate four times weekly. It’s one of 18 new nonstop routes added by Sun Country.
PIE HOLDING JOB FAIR FOR ALLEGIANT AIRLINES ON MAY 3
St. Pete/Clearwater International Airport (PIE) is hosting a job fair for Allegiant Airlines from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Monday, May 3. Allegiant is hiring part-time customer service agents and ground operations agents, which require a criminal background check. No appointments necessary, but applications and interviews will be held on site Monday with the chance of being hired immediately. Summer incentive bonus compensation is $15 per hour for customer service agents and $16 per hour for ground operations agents. Employees do receive free flight benefits, too. Learn more and start an application here.
GO BACK STAGE OF SUPERBOWL LV WITH VIDEO RECAP
Following an epic home Super Bowl LV victory for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Tampa Bay Super Bowl LV Host Committee created a behind-the-scenes look at the week-long festivities, including an appearance from Visit St. Pete/Clearwater President/CEO Steve Hayes among many other exclusive performances and interviews. Watch the video here.
CLEARWATER MARINE AQUARIUM ANNOUNCES NEW DOCUMENTARY
In celebration of Earth Day last week, Clearwater Marine Aquarium announced a new documentary set to be released this summer. Stranded: A Whale Rescue Tale, covers the rescue, rehabilitation, release and tracking of the five pilot whales that stranded on Redington Beach in 2019. Watch the trailer and learn more here.
VISIT FLORIDA RECEIVES 75 MILLION APPROPRIATION
According to an update from Visit Florida President and CEO, Dana Young, earlier this week, Visit Florida has received an appropriation of $75 million for the upcoming fiscal year. This comes as the 2021 Florida Legislative Session wraps today.
REGISTRATION NOW OPEN FOR 2021 PRIDE RUN ST. PETE 5K & DIVA DASH
Registration for the first-ever Pride Run St. Pete 5K & Diva Dash on June 5 is open and includes all-day access to the Pride St. Pete Health & Wellness Expo & Festival. Pride Run St. Pete is both a running and walking event promoting inclusion, diversity, equality and acceptance for everyone. The race is limited to 500 participants on a first-come, first-serve basis.
ONCE AGAIN, USA-CANADA BORDER CLOSURE EXTENDED UNTIL ATLEAST MAY 31
Last week, the U.S.-Canada border closure was extended for another month, pushing it back to at least May 21. It’s been more than 13 months since the border has been closed.
