Tourism Boss Banks On Super Weekend

Tourism Coordinator Sue Rupe today will be driving to the I-95 Florida welcome center, just outside Jacksonville, and set up a small table to greet people coming across the state line.

She expects many to cross over today and tomorrow as they make their way north to Tampa, home of Super Bowl XLIII.

Rupe will promote Hernando County, where local hotels and businesses are offering Super Bowl packages.

"I'm hoping that when they see our prices, we'll look pretty good," Rupe said.

Rupe said she will stress to these out-of-towners that Hernando County is only some 45 minutes from Raymond James Stadium and they can escape the crowds by stopping here for the weekend.

Rupe said she has also placed an advertisement in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette promoting Hernando County accommodations.

This is the 14th Super Bowl hosted by the Sunshine State, and the fourth in Tampa. Florida has hosted more Super Bowls than any other state - including four since 2000 - and Tampa is one of only four cities in the United States to host the Super Bowl at least four times, according to the governor's office.

The game is expected to infuse $300 million to the Tampa Bay economy.

Meanwhile, as of Wednesday, local hotel owners reported plenty of vacancies.

The Microtel and Holiday Inn Express in Ridge Manor have shown no signs of additional occupancies for the Super Bowl.

The receptionist at the Best Western said 30 out of the 120 rooms are still vacant, but they will be filled quickly - mostly because it's the end of the month and business is always better then. She said the Super Bowl has little to do with it.

The Hampton Inn of Brooksville has approximately 73 out of its 75 rooms filled for Saturday and Sunday. The receptionist there said it was directly linked to the Super Bowl.

As for Rupe, she doesn't much care who wins the Super Bowl. But if she had to pick a team, it would be Arizona.

For a complete list of weekend Super Bowl deals, visit www.naturallyhernando.org/hot-deals/default.aspx