Trade-only operator Major Travel will hold an event for agents at a UK hotel next month to kickstart its promotion of Tampa Bay, which will culminate in a fam trip this September.
It will host 25 agents for an afternoon tea party at De Vere Latimer Estate, near Chesham, on July 12.
There will be presentations from Major Travel as well as representatives from Visit Tampa Bay, Busch Gardens, Virgin Atlantic and Hilton.
An agent’s name will be picked at random from a hat to find one of the 10 participants in the September fam trip in Tampa.
Other participants will earn their place through making bookings to Tampa Bay, completing Tampa training or winning social media competitions.
The 10 agents on the fam trip will fly with Virgin Atlantic, and then visit top attractions such as Riverwalk, Ybor City neighbourhood and Busch Gardens theme park.
They will be accompanied by a representative from Major Travel on the trip.
Rute Magalhaes, head of commercial at Major Travel, said: “Sales have picked up and Tampa is becoming one of the top selling destinations to Florida.”
She described it as Florida’s “hidden gem” and a “cheaper gateway option” to other destinations in the state such as the beaches, Florida Keys, Orlando or the Everglades.
Agents interested in attending the UK event can email commercial@major.travel and places will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.
More: Virgin Atlantic makes Tampa Bay third destination in Florida