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Hernando Today

Cashing In On The Super Bowl

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By MICHAEL D. BATES

Hernando Today

Published: January 18, 2009

BROOKSVILLE - Deidre Fletcher, general manager of the Days Inn of Brooksville, has come up with a promotional package she hopes will score big with football fans.

Fletcher is holding a 2009 "Super Bowl Getaway" Jan. 31, the day before the big game, which combines lodging and a party atmosphere.

For $229.96, fans can stay three nights and get one night free. In addition, they can attend a Super Bowl cookout with complimentary beer, music and food from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Jan. 31.

Fletcher said it is an attempt to capture the fans from the big game and get into the festive spirit.

Hundreds of thousands of football fans are expected to attend Super Bowl XLIII, to be held Feb. 1 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa.

And those rabid fans will need someplace to stay.

The last time the Super Bowl was held in Tampa, back in 2001, local hotels sold out quickly and homeowners rented out rooms to fans for the weekend.

But even that didn't prove enough as people fanned out northward to Pasco and Hernando counties looking for lodging.

Hernando County Tourism Coordinator Sue Rupe said recently she believes many fans will make the 45-minute ride north to stay in local hotels because of the exorbitant prices that will be offered closer to the game site.

For weeks, Rupe has been encouraging hotel owners to come up with Super Bowl packages.

The tourist development council has carved out space on its Web site for people to get the latest Super Bowl hotel deals.

To see the latest, go to http://www.naturallyhernando.org/hot-deals/default...

Reporter Michael D. Bates can be reached at 352-544-5290 or mbates@hernandotoday.com.

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