Bringing in big bucks

Monday, January 2, 2006

Post a comment | E-mail this story | Print

Iowa Hawkeye fans will visit the Bay area for Monday's game.

Florida Gators and Iowa Hawkeye fans are taking over Tampa this weekend to play in Monday's Outback Bowl.

While fans coming in from Iowa need places to stay and eat, local businesses were concerned that having Florida playing would mean less tourism dollars being spent in the Bay area.

When two out-of state teams and their fans come to town for the annual Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium, a lot of businesses can expect a piece of the economic impact pie.

"The attractions, the restaurants, shopping venues, transportation companies," Norwood Smith of the Tampa Bay Convention and Visitors Bureau said.

When South Carolina and Ohio State squared off in 2001, tourism dollars were spent everywhere.

"We saw a huge impact," Smith said. "I think that year we drove direct spending to almost $35 million for the area."

Compare that to just two years ago when Florida played Iowa. The Hawkeyes won big, but fans didn't spend big. Tourism staff members said local businesses didn't see half of what the South Carolina-Ohio State game brought in.

"When you have a team in Florida, you always get less people and when you have two people from out of town, naturally they are going to stay overnight or stay a couple of nights here," Steve Asmar of the Holiday Inn Express said.

This year, Tampa Bay Convention and Visitors Bureau staff members are focusing on the Iowa and Florida Alumni Associations to generate as much economic impact as they can.

"Throws a spotlight on everything we have to offer," Smith said. "All of the discounts, special promotions that are attractions, restaurants and entertainment venders during the week."

Hotel owners said having Raymond James occupied New Year's Day with the Bucs and Saints is making up for not having a couple of out-of state teams playing Monday.

"We have the Buccaneers here, so that is two teams instead of one," Asmar said.