Industry Update
January 24, 2020
NBC's New York Live Highlights St. Pete/Clearwater
New Yorker’s are getting a taste of St. Pete/Clearwater’s award-winning beaches, dining and arts/culture scene as part of a strategic winter advertising campaign with NBC New York. Every Thursday through February 6, NBC New York’s daily lifestyle show, New York Live, features one of four 2.5-minute segments filmed in the destination with host Ashley Bellman, including giving viewers a chance to win a getaway to St. Pete/Clearwater. Check out the first segment that aired on January 16.
VSPC Celebrates Florida Tourism Day at Capital
Hundreds of tourism officials, stakeholders and advocates attended Florida Tourism Day in Tallahassee on Wednesday, Jan. 22, to show support for funding VISIT FLORIDA. Visit St. Pete/Clearwater President & CEO, Steve Hayes, attended the annual event, meeting with local legislators to express the value of VISIT FLORIDA and the importance of tourism as a whole to Pinellas County and state.
VSPC Launches New Eco-ppreciation Video Series
Home to America’s Best Beaches, visitors from all over flock to St. Pete/Clearwater to enjoy our pristine Gulf waters, sugar-fine sand and warm Florida sunshine. To show our eco-ppreciation for our No. 1 asset, we created a series of bite-sized videos sharing simple rules locals and visitors can follow to be responsible beachgoers. From simply packing in and packing out to keeping the beach “runway” safe for sea turtles, check out all the ways we can keep America’s Best Beaches, well…the best!
SHOW YOUR ECO-PPRECIATION!
Destinations Florida Releases New Tourism Report
It’s no secret tourism is important to Florida’s economy. Tourism has brought more than one million jobs in hospitality, generated significant revenue for state and local communities and contributed to Florida’s low tax base and exempt income tax. In this new report published by Destinations Florida, you’ll learn why it’s vital to empower destination promotion as it continues to power Florida’s economic growth.
State of the Region: 2020 Competitiveness Report
Have you ever asked yourself, ‘What is the state of the region?’ Well, you’re in luck. The Regional Competitiveness Report, produced by the Tampa Bay Partnership Foundation and in collaboration with the Community Foundation of Tampa Bay and United Way Suncoast, has recently been completed. The third annual report compares 19 peer and aspirational markets across the U.S. through an assessment of the St. Pete/Clearwater-Tampa Bay MSA (Metropolitan Statistical Area) region by a diverse set of economic indicators. Highlights for the area include a strong economic vitality in the business establishment rate and the highest net migration among regions.
Tourism Development Council Vacancy Announced
Applications are being accepted for an appointment to the Pinellas County Tourist Development Council (TDC). The TDC is a 12-member advisory council that makes recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners (BCC) regarding the effective use and expenditure of Tourist Development Tax (TDT) revenues. Interested candidates can apply online here. Applications must be received by the close of business on Friday, Jan. 31, 2020.
