TAMPA, FL, June 11, 2010
/24-7PressRelease/ -- There is no doubt that Florida's economic future is determined by the condition of the tourism business. Significant damage to Florida's beaches and coastal property could remain for many years. The Tampa Marketing Company believes the current strategy being offered by the State and to be funded by British Petroleum is off base as planned.
Florida offers some incredibly beautiful streams, canoe trails, and hiking trails that will remain unaffected by the current oil spill. Museums, theme parks, major sports franchises, and festivals provide plenty of reasons to visit the Sunshine State. Florida has hundreds of first class golf courses and other sports related facilities. Florida has many state parks that allow for camping and more, and many are not on the beach. The main reason visitors come to enjoy Florida is the winter weather, not just the beaches.
Current efforts are underway to obtain additional funds from BP and from the State of Florida to promote the beach destinations. Today's potential visitors are knowledgable enough and skeptical enough to not respond to the "visit our beaches" message as an oil spill looms off our coast.
The Tampa Marketing Company has launched SaveFloridaTourism.com to raise funds from individuals and others to establish a national ad campaign that is designed to promote Florida tourism treasures that provide additional reasons to visit Florida. Additionally the campaign focuses on a more community oriented print campaign that promotes involvement through hotel room giveaways and more. We call on the State and other Florida tourism promotion groups to adopt this approach.
The Tampa Marketing Company also believes that a private company can respond more quickly and more economically in launching a national advertising campaign.
A recent report on a Visit Florida brochure produced by an out of state vendor pointed out glaring inaccuracies, including placing the Salvador Dali Museum, a world class art museum, in the incorrect city. " It is not just a time to promote Florida tourism, but to promote and employ Florida businesses for that purpose in order to avoid this type of mistake made by an out of state company." said Bill Sharpe, President of Tampa Marketing Company.
"We are seeing the economic confidence by local businesses and consumers deteriorating rapidly. High gas prices in 2008, the Great Recession, a collapsed real estate market, a record cold winter, and now the largest ecological disaster in history looming off our coast has not been able to overcome the future plans to host the Republican National Convention or possibly being a World Cup host city in the future. Business owners have been struggling to survive and now the uncertainty of the impact of the oil spill may be their last straw." Sharpe stated.
SaveFloridaTourism.com is reliant on online contributions to fund the campaign. A $10 contribution can allow for a Florida tourism message to reach 10,000 individuals through partnership and discounted advertising being produced by the Tampa Marketing Company.
Contributions in excess of $20 will entitle contributor to a choice of t-shirts.
"The goal of the SaveFloridaTourism campaign is to create a greater awareness of Florida's non-beach attractions in order to help to maintain the hospitality industry jobs that are so vital to Florida's economy. From hotels and restaurants to cab drivers and fishermen, economic confidence is quickly eroding. And with that, so are jobs and investment." said Bill Sharpe, President, Tampa Marketing Company. "If visitors also discover that Florida beaches are safe and clean while they are here, they will help spread the word about our beautiful beaches. Florida's economy cannot afford to place all of their advertising money on an asset that could be oil covered . By expanding our marketing to include a broader range of Florida treasures, we will also help to expand the economic base of tourism like never before."
"The current softness in the advertising industry allows a company with our community based marketing experience with the opportunity to quickly achieve a maximum of reach of our message with a very minimal expense. A $10 contribution to the SaveFloridaTourism campaign will allow for our message to reach 10,000 residents throughout the US." he said.
Tampa Marketing Company is the Publisher of the South Tampa Community News, a monthly newspaper, reaching over 20,000. Additionally the company owns or manages almost 100 websites and provided marketing assistance for various businesses and non-profit organizations.
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