ST. PETERSBURG/CLEARWATER AND ORLANDO
ST. PETERSBURG/ CLEARWATER AND ORLANDO
Top Selling Tips...
• Pack the suntan lotion… “It’s sunny all year round, with St. Pete Beach in the Guinness Book of Records for having the longest string of consecutive sunny days” Andrea Noble, Florida Product Development Manager, Virgin Holidays
• See shells by the seashore… “Spend time on the wonderful Shell Island, lying parallel to the mainland. This secluded island is perfect for someone who enjoys walking along the beach collecting a fascinating variety of shells”
MALCOLM DAVIES Product Manager, Funway Holidays
developments on one of the beach fronts, currently under public consultation. The region’s beaches, spanning 35 miles of coastline are some of the best in the entire country and continue to draw plaudits. In March St Pete Beach was named the top beach in the US and the fifth best beach in the world by review website TripAdvisor. Fort DeSoto Beach Park won accolades from the website in 2009 and 2010, while it was named America’s Best Beach by Dr Steven Leatherman, aka Dr Beach, in 2006. Caladesi Island won the same honour in 2008. Beyond its beaches, St Petersburg/
Clearwater's family attractions include Clearwater Marine Aquarium, Captain Nemo’s Original Pirate Cruise, Clearwater’s Pier 60, Great Explorations Children’s Museum and the largest science museum in the south-eastern US, MOSI. It also has a huge choice of
restaurants, bars and nightclubs, shopping from malls to boutique shops and high-class beachfront hotel accommodation.
What’s New Orlando continues to crank up its range of offerings. Spring saw the opening of SeaWorld Orlando’s TurtleTrek's 360-degree, dome- shaped theatre and the Freshwater Oasis at Discovery Cove, featuring wading adventures and otter encounters. SeaWorld’s biggest expansion yet will see the opening of a major expansion, Antarctica – Empire of the Penguin, in 2013. Universal Orlando Resort opened its
new 3D Despicable Me attraction in July, based on the blockbuster movie, and has added a new Universal’s Superstars Parade as well as a new night-time show marking 100 years of movies, while it has also re-launched its Amazing Adventures of Spiderman attraction. Walt Disney World Resort has
unveiled the first two phases of the Magic Kingdom’s Fantasyland expansion with the new Storybook Circus area featuring duelling Dumbo attractions and the Great Goofini Coaster as well as an indoor interactive area. Phase three opens in December and includes Under the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid and a themed restaurant.
• Trolley good value… “The Suncoast Beach Trolley runs from St. Pete Beach to downtown Clearwater and is a great, cheap way to get about without a car”
ISLA KING Florida Product Executive, Specialist Holidays Group, TUI
• Up the creek… “Boggy Creek Airboat Rides offers an opportunity to see Central Florida’s best-kept secret – its very own Everglades. Explore natural wonders, including wetlands, cypress trees, and wildlife – alligators, turtles, birds and more. The half-hour tours do not need any reservations”
NEIL GARNER Head of Product and Commercial, Cosmos
The Walt Disney World Speedway has also been enhanced, with the Exotic Driving Experience featuring the world’s fastest and most exotic supercars. A new water park that opened at LEGOLAND Florida in May includes wave pools, a build-a-raft lazy river, water slides with drops of 60 feet and a Duplo Splash Safari for toddlers. New accommodation in Orlando
takes in properties such as Walt Disney World’s Art of Animation Resort, with planned openings including Aloft Orlando Downtown in summer 2013, a B Hotels and Resorts hotel in Lake Buena Vista in late 2013 and, in 2014, a Four Seasons Hotel at Walt Disney World and Universal’s 1,800-room Cabana Beach Resort – which will be the largest of its four on-site hotels. Visit Orlando is undertaking
several initiatives in the UK to keep the destination flying high. It will be running a digital campaign with SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, Universal Orlando
Facing page: Caladesi Island; Above, clockwise: Under the Seas at Epcot; the Salvador Dali Museum; Drive-in golf at Universal Orlando; St. Petersburg's Pier; Pier House, St,Petersburg Beach
www.sellinglonghaul.com • September 2012 55
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