 |
Bay News 9
Local Programming
On Demand
About
Community
Market Place
Services
Fans flock to NCAA games, other Bay area destinations
When fans aren't in the St. Pete Times forum watching games, they're out and about in the Bay area mingling at nearby restaurants like Hooters at Channelside.
TAMPA (Bay News 9) -- March madness is underway in Tampa, bringing visitors from all over the country.
But they're not here just for basketball.
When fans aren't in the St. Pete Times forum watching games, they're out and about in the Bay area mingling at nearby restaurants like Hooters at Channelside and staying in Tampa hotels like the Hyatt in downtown Tampa.
Visitors like Villanova fan Andrew Larkin of Philadelphia is also taking in a few baseball games.
"Phillies spring training... the reason we originally came down," Larkin said. "Then we ended up getting tickets for Villanova."
Larkin came along with several other family members like Joseph Kinney, who wants to experience more than just sports.
"I'd like to see the beaches," Kinney said. "And then a lot more of downtown and other things."
The NCAA tournaments are expected to bring $20 million into the Tampa area.
That makes Dave Disalvo of the Hyatt very happy.
"Easter weekend for us in downtown in Tampa is usually pretty slow," Disalvo said. "It's usually a very family oriented holiday, so there's not a lot going on. So it's a bonus to us."
Of course, the amount each visitor will spend will vary.
"I'm not splurging in a silly kind of way," Kinney said. "But I'm not counting it."
Contact Information
Be in the Know with Bay News 9 Now!
Get news, weather, and traffic alerts delivered directly to your computer desktop, e-mail, or cell phone with Bay News 9 Now.
- Subscribe for free!
More Hillsborough County Stories
- Man accused of kidnapping, sexually assaulting girl
- USF students getting the skinny on storm evacuations
- Firework sales get double whammy with economy, rain
- 'Suspicious bag' scare over at Tampa Int'l. Airport
- Police: Tampa man threatened to kill former boss
- Florida Highway Patrol to ensure safety this July 4
- Charges dropped against ex-commissioner Brian Blair
- One hurt after man throws concrete through bus window
- Mother of baby thrown on I-275 reported missing, found
Contact Bay News 9
- Story ideas for our Assignment Desk
- Comments on Bay News 9 or BayNews9.com
- Bay News 9 Now (our news alert system)
- Neighborhood News (tell us about your event)
Select the size text you want to use to view www.baynews9.com from the choices below.
Bay News 9's Partners
 |  |  |  |
Become An Asterisk Hunter!
At Bright House Networks, we prefer to keep things simple.So the next time you're looking for TV, home phone and Internet service with a 30-day, money-back guarantee, but without the fine print surprises, call
1-866-976-EASY.
Learn more at AsteriskHunters.com.
About Bright House Networks