Ready to Play? Ready to Connect? Tampa Bay is Ready for You

Thrill seekers, explorers, foodies, convention goers and laid-back explorers rejoice! Tampa Bay is “Ready to Play” and ready to connect. Visit Tampa Bay is investing an additional $6 million in sales and marketing efforts, including $1.4 million into an immediate November and December paid media campaign, aimed at reminding discerning travellers that now is the perfect time to plan their visit.  

Starting November 1 through the end of December, travellers in key domestic and international markets will see a brighter spotlight on Tampa Bay, illuminating the region’s unique offerings and readiness to welcome visitors, despite the challenge of recent storms. Specifically, within the UK – which has seen extensive growth across 2024 – an investment of $1.1 million will be utilised across direct to consumer, trade and media activity over the next quarter.    

Highlights of this include an advertising campaign starting this month across London stations, tubes, taxis and out of home. Maximising the partnership with Brentford FC and sponsoring the London Art Fair to showcase and recognise the arts and culture found across the destination.  

Visit Tampa Bay’s President and CEO, Santiago C. Corrada, emphasized the campaign’s creative accentuates Tampa Bay is “Ready to Play”, “Ready for Adventure”, “Ready to Relax”, “Ready to Cheer”, “Ready to Connect” and “Ready to Thrill” visitors at hotels, restaurants, and attractions of all sizes, including Busch Gardens® Tampa Bay, The Florida Aquarium, ZooTampa at Lowry Park, the Museum of Science & Industry (MOSI), and the Straz Center for the Performing Arts.  

“The world witnessed our region’s resiliency in recent weeks as Tampa Bay fully reopened and welcomed visitors only days after dealing with back-to-back storms,” said Corrada. “Our fall marketing campaign is designed with one central idea in mind – if travellers in the U.K. are looking for a place that is ready to show them adventure, relaxing vibes, and delicious dining, then Tampa Bay and its warm weather, blue skies, luxury hotels, MICHELIN-rated restaurants, and heart-stopping attractions is the place to be.”  

He continued, “The investment in the UK is indicative of how important this market is to Tampa Bay. The UK is our largest overseas market with two daily direct flights and activity happening throughout the year. Taking a strong stance in the UK and highlighting that Tampa Bay is Ready is an important part of our strategy and we look forward to welcoming even more of our UK friends.”  

Visit Tampa Bay will reflect on the campaign’s results in late December and launch full-scale efforts in out-of-state and international markets in January. Intended to bolster the region’s important tourism economy and its 59,000 jobs, these funds will support marketing initiatives with trade press, online travel agencies like Expedia and Priceline, bus and car wraps, traditional advertising channels, and paid social media influencers, among others.   Potential domestic travellers in places like New York, Chicago, and Philadelphia, and international travellers in countries like Germany, United Kingdom, and Canada will see advertising and paid media designed to spread the word that Tampa Bay wants them to visit. Corrada underscored these efforts will ensure that Tampa Bay’s full slate of events, from championship caliber sports teams to one-of-a-kind festivals can stay front of mind to entice potential guests.   

“Travelling sports fans looking for a great venue don’t have to look further than the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Tampa Bay Lightning who are competing at a high-level,” Corrada explained. “And with College Bowl Season and holiday events at our top attractions coming to our city in December, and the nation’s third largest festival and only pirate invasion, Gasparilla, joyfully invading the region in January, there’s treasure for anybody and everybody waiting for them in Tampa Bay in the coming months.”