Tampa Tourism Talks Super Bowl Safety, Hotel Health Programs And Stadium Attendance

February 6, 2021 ctn_admin

In case you hadn’t heard, the Super Bowl is Sunday, February 7 in Tampa, a terrific Florida city with a vibrant, new downtown, great restaurants and tons of things to see and do. Here’s a Q and A with Santiago C. Corrada, the president and CEO of Visit Tampa Bay.

How excited are you to host the Super Bowl? And how has that changed with the pandemic?

Tampa Bay is taking the global stage for the most watched game in sports. That sort of exposure is priceless. With that said, our destination is still very excited to host the big game, regardless of how different it looks. You can feel the energy building and the community coming together to prepare for
the event as safely as possible. While we’ve hosted it in years past, this is a Super Bowl when we’ve needed it the most.

What does hotel occupancy look like for game week?

While we can’t sure exact occupancy at the moment, we expect it to be strong as the visitors are more likely to stay in Tampa Bay than surrounding communities. We wouldn’t want to guess in advance, especially as our hometown team is playing in the game, but we expect a solid occupancy and revenue numbers.

How is the airport managing a potential uptick in visitation?

Tampa International Airport has been lauded for its safety protocols and was among the first to pioneer COVID testing pre‐ and post‐flight on airport grounds. They are also no strangers to large‐scale events in Tampa Bay having hosted prior Super Bowls, the RNC and College Football Playoffs in the past. The airport is recommending that visitors travel with ample time in anticipation of longer TSA lines and increased traffic, especially Monday following the game.

What is the destination doing to advocate against human trafficking?

Human trafficking is an important issue surrounding the big game and it’s even more important to understand the common myths surrounding the crime. Earlier last year, Visit Tampa Bay introduced Hillsborough County’s survivor advisory board to its advertising agency, FKQ Advertising. That
partnership led to an anti‐human trafficking campaign ahead of the Super Bowl and we were honoured to liaise between the two to make that happen.

What are some of the COVID measures taking place at hotels and restaurants?

The destination is doing everything in its power to safely host the game. Hoteliers are committed to cleanliness unlike ever before and have found unique ways to operate through contactless check‐in options, modified amenities and dedicated cleaning staff. The same can be said for restaurants who have moved extended operations outdoors thanks to the City of Tampa’s Lift Up Local program.

Are there any big events surrounding the Super Bowl? If so, what are the safety measures?

Many fan and consumer events sanctioned through the NFL have now been cancelled, or made virtual, with the exception of the free Super Bowl Experience, which will be held outdoors under limited capacity along the Tampa Riverwalk. Timed entry reservations are required for this event via the NFL OnePass App. Masks are also required to enter the event.

Super Bowl Experience is sold out online, what now?

The NFL has dedicated part of their capacity for day‐of attendees. As traffic fluctuates throughout the day, they will allow day‐of admission accordingly.

How many people will be in attendance at Raymond James Stadium?

The stadium has reduced capacity for the game and allowing 22,000 fans. This includes the 7,500 vaccinated healthcare workers who have been given free tickets by the NFL as a thank you for getting our country through the pandemic.

What is the impact on small businesses and minority‐owned businesses?

We are getting a Super Bowl when we need it the most. While the impact will look a little different than in years past, this will still be the most business restaurants, hotels and local establishments have seen in 11 months. The NFL does a great job with their Business Connect program that acts as a database for their contractors in preparation for the big game. Business Connect includes businesses that are owned by minorities, females and veterans.

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