Tourism leaders for the St. Pete‑Clearwater area announced that the region will appear on two national television programs, a move they say will draw more visitors to Tampa Bay’s Gulf Coast. Both Visit St. Pete‑Clearwater and Visit Tampa Bay were chosen by Visit Florida for a tourism promotion, according to Fox 13.
Earlier this week the area was highlighted on Wheel of Fortune, where a prize package was showcased that includes a seven‑night stay at the JW Marriott in Clearwater Beach, a sunset cruise and a selection of experiences from local businesses. The segment was part of a broader effort to introduce viewers to the region’s restaurants, beach excursions and arts offerings.
Jason Latimer, Director of Public Relations for Visit St. Pete‑Clearwater, told Fox 13 that visitation “has been absolutely wonderful” this year. He noted that during last month’s World Series, the area saw “almost double the hotel occupancy and revenue for that time of year,” and that the trend is expected to continue into November and the winter months, when “our seasons start to pick up where our visitation really becomes a little bit more prevalent.”
In addition to the game‑show exposure, Pinellas County will be back in the national spotlight next week when the crew of “Live with Kelly and Mark” films on location in Clearwater Beach on Monday and Tuesday. The episodes will air on FOX 13, giving viewers a live‑look at the beachfront community.
Visit St. Pete‑Clearwater is also leveraging social media through its new SPC‑Suite, where content creators highlight local attractions and businesses. The combined television and digital push is intended to sustain the surge in visitors that the region has enjoyed so far in 2024.
What’s next: Residents can expect the “Live with Kelly and Mark” crew to be on Clearwater Beach Monday and Tuesday, with the segments slated to broadcast later this week on FOX 13. Tourism officials will continue to monitor visitor trends through the winter and spring seasons, aiming to maintain the momentum generated by the national TV promotions.
Sources: fox13news.com, fox13news.com, fox13news.com
