Sudipta Dev – Mumbai
At a distance of 153 km from Orlando, which is popular with Indian travellers to Florida, is another interesting destination that could be of much interest to visitors from India on account of its diversified attractions. St Pete/ Clearwater is one of Florida’s premier destinations. “Whether it is our pristine, white sand beaches – Clearwater beach is ranked first on TripAdvisor’s Best Beaches in the US and St Pete Beach is ranked at fourth – or our world class museums like the Chihuly Collection or the Dali Museum, our destination has the ideal blend of cultural and outdoor offerings,” said David Downing, executive director, Visit St Pete/ Clearwater. He pointed out that St Pete/ Clearwater is also home to a bustling foodie scene and features countless award winning, individually owned and operated restaurants.
Acknowledging that presently they do not have any data that measures the growth in visitor arrivals from India, Downing remarked, “We are always looking for new ways to experience growth in visitation from this market.” Regarding engagement with the Indian market, he mentioned, “St Pete/ Clearwater is always interested in expanding our reach – both nationally and internationally. While we do not have any solidified plans for a specific outreach initiative in India at this time, it is a country that is on our radar to expand efforts into.”
It is a destination that always offers something new for repeat travellers – from new hotels to tourism activities. “This year, St Pete/ Clearwater opened two new, oceanfront resorts – the Opal Sands on Clearwater Beach and the Treasure Island Beach Resort on Treasure Island. In addition, the Dali Museum features rotating exhibits, so there is always something new to explore on every trip back to the destination,” informed Downing.