Seeing Is Believing

St. Petersburg/Clearwater says it has a one-two punch when competing for tourist dollars from tourists planning to vacation in

Florida.
Visit St. Pete/Clearwater spokesman Leroy Bridges says the Gulf Of Mexico -fronting destination can easily host those who appreciate beaches and also effortlessly accommodate those who wish to add to their learned sides as well.

“No one else has a combination of beaches and culture like we do,” he said Friday while he and colleagues were hosting tourism industry personnel at a Toronto Blue Jays home game against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Bridges said the region’s coast features “every personality of beach,” including ones that enable visitors to “relax off the beaten path.”
The Gulf of Mexico coast has white sand that’s “not a trademark of every beach in Florida,” he continued.

Bridges was also equally quick to praise the area’s cultural side, citing the likes of an area museum devoted to famed Spanish artist Salvador Dali soon hosting a six-month exhibition about a friendship between Dali and entertainment giant Walt Disney.
Bridges said the duo were “good friends and two of the biggest names in their respective worlds.”

Bridges said hosting the event at a Blue Jays game was appropriate as the Blue Jays spring training is held in an St. Petersburg/Clearwater-area (Dunedin) stadium.

Canadians have long been visiting the St. Petersburg/Clearwater area, although visitations have fallen slightly recently, something Bridges attributes to the current Canada-US currency exchange.

Pictured at the game are Bridges; Jerry Grymek of LMA, which carries the flag for Florida in Canada; and Oliver Kugler of the Sunset Vistas resort in Treasure Island, Fla. Grymek is wearing a technological device that Beaches & Baseball attendees were invited to try and which provides a “360-degree immersion experience” showcasing the St. Petersburg/Clearwater area.