In association with: Tampa Bay
Unlock valuable knowledge about Tampa Bay with its new training platform
Nestled on Florida’s Gulf Coast lies a city on the water with a fascinating pirate past, distinctive neighbourhoods and an unmatched foodie scene. For those visiting the Sunshine State, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay theme park, The Florida Aquarium and interactive museums add to its appeal. And the best bit? It’s all easy to reach from the UK, with two direct flights daily.
Land and water adventures
Getting around Tampa Bay is easy with walkable neighbourhoods, water transport from Bay Rocket and Pirate Water Taxis, and a free streetcar running from the heart of downtown Tampa to the Ybor City neighbourhood. Ybor City was once home to several cigar factories. Today, visitors can still learn how to roll a cigar, and uncover its Cuban heritage. Back in downtown, the Tampa Riverwalk is a picturesque area with restaurants, food halls, water activities and the Tampa Bay History Center lining the two-and-a-half-mile walkway.
Foodie heaven
Just seeing the cuisine on offer in Tampa Bay is enough to whet your appetite. With bars and cocktail lounges, trendy food halls and fine-dining restaurants, Tampa Bay is brimming with choices. So it comes as no surprise that visitors can choose from Michelin-starred restaurants, Bib Gourmand recipients and 18 other establishments featured in the Michelin Guide to Florida.
Showcasing the region’s Latin American influences, Columbia Restaurant in Ybor City opened in 1905 and is Florida’s oldest restaurant and one of the world’s largest Spanish eateries, with further branches on the Riverwalk and at the airport. Treasures await in Tampa Bay, making it the perfect start or end to a Florida itinerary.
Did you know?
There are direct flights to Tampa Bay every day from two London airports. British Airways flies to Tampa from Gatwick, while Virgin Atlantic departs from Heathrow.
New agent training
Tampa Bay has a new training platform to help agents sell the destination, with all the knowledge you’ll need, from transport to activities, plus a real-time product directory. The Tampa Bay Specialist Learning & Sales Companion is available to access through its web and phone app, so the latest information is at your fingertips.
To find out more about becoming a Tampa Bay Specialist, head to: VisitTampaBaySpecialist.com
PICTURES: Visit Tampa Bay