See Tampa Bay Go Red In Honor Of National Tourism Week

TAMPA BAY, FL — In association with U.S. Travel Association, Visit Tampa Bay and Visit St. Pete/Clearwater is celebrating National Travel and Tourism Week this week.

“As we continue toward tourism recovery, we recognize that our progress is thanks to the hundreds of partners and thousands of frontline peers who dedicate their efforts to tourism and hospitality,” said Santiago C. Corrada, president and CEO of Visit Tampa Bay. “This week is not only about celebrating the recovery wins thus far, but more about celebrating the people and places who make Tampa Bay a safe and memorable destination for visitors around the world.”

“It’s never been more important to emphasize the No. 1 employer in Pinellas County - tourism,” said Steve Hayes, president and CEO of Visit St. Pete/Clearwater. “National Travel and Tourism Week is a celebration and reminder of the constant recognition front line workers in hotels, attractions and all tourism entities deserve year-round.”

The week will bring together not only industry peers within Hillsborough and Pinellas County, but also across the Bay as Visit Tampa Bay and Visit St. Pete/Clearwater once again unite to support tourism in the Bay Area as a region through the following events:

The week kicked off Sunday with landmarks on both sides of the bay lighting up in red, the official color of National Travel and Tourism Week.

Landmarks participating in the lighting includes:

• City of Tampa
• Tampa International Airport
• Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
• ZooTampa at Lowry Park
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers
• Tampa Riverwalk
• David A. Straz Jr. Center for the Performing Arts
• Sunshine Skyway Bridge (Wednesday)
• The James Museum
• St. Pete Pier
• Tropicana Field
• The Birchwood
• The Dali Museum

Pineapple Cup Battle of the Bay Shuffleboard Tournament

Both sides of the bay will battle it out as Visit Tampa Bay and Visit St. Pete/Clearwater come together for some friendly competition at the inaugural Pineapple Cup on May 4 at the St. Petersburg Shuffleboard Club.

Proclamations

In recognition and support of tourism and hospitality, the city of Tampa and Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners will proclaim May 2 through 8 as “Tampa Bay Tourism Week."

Partner Appreciation Visits

Visit Tampa Bay team members will take part in new partner outreach initiative by visiting dozens of partners with small tokens of appreciation throughout the week.

Bern Laxer Awards For Excellence

Visit Tampa Bay will bring back its Bern Laxer Awards for Excellence and honor nominated individuals as tourism champions for their efforts in ensuring visitors have a memorable experience in the destination.

Tee Off For Tourism

Tee Off for Tourism, presented by Visit Tampa Bay and Hillsborough County’s Hotel Motel Association, also returns to Saddlebrook Resort. A portion of the proceeds from the popular golf tournament will fund scholarships for Hillsborough County students enrolled in hospitality and culinary arts programs.

Tampa Bay Beaches Tourism Luncheon

On Wednesday, May 5, Visit St. Pete/Clearwater President and CEO Steve Hayes is speaking at the annual Tampa Bay Beaches Luncheon alongside U.S. Travel’s Roger Dow and Visit Florida's Dana Young.

Strategic Plan Webinar

Join Visit St. Pete/Clearwater and HCP Associates on Thursday, May 6 at 3 p.m. as it shares its plans for the development of a five-year strategic plan, including how the community can take part in shaping the priorities and future of the organization. Register here.

Travel Rally

Visit St. Pete/Clearwater culminates the week with a travel rally at St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE) on Friday, May 7 with chamber partners greeting passengers and celebrating tourism’s place in our community.