Visit St Pete-Clearwater is letting visitors know the destination is Still Shining following two once-in-a-century storms to pass by the community.
Home to the Sunshine City and known for its award-winning beaches, bustling local restaurants, and a thriving arts and culture scene, St. Pete-Clearwater remains a top Florida destination for travellers from the UK and Ireland.
In the aftermath of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, which made landfall in Florida just two weeks apart, the resilient St. Pete-Clearwater community has united to recover and open their doors to visitors.
Thanks to the dedication of local business, government, emergency services and volunteers, the area – which knows how much visitors love the slice of paradise along Florida’s Gulf Coast – has bounced back quickly with the majority of accommodations, attractions and restaurants opening their doors to guests.
Currently, nearly 80% of the destination’s hotels are open, including popular flagship properties in Clearwater Beach, which is a favourite among visitors from the UK and Ireland.
“Despite a one-two punch from hurricanes Helene and Milton, the daily sunshine in St.
Pete-Clearwater spotlights our community’s incredible energy and indomitable spirit. Though we saw some impact, the images and videos being seen across the international media does not accurately reflect the entirety of the destination and the fact that we are very much Still Shining,” said Brian Lowack, President & CEO at Visit St. Pete-Clearwater.
Mr Lowack added: “Popular attractions including the St. Pete Pier, Dali Museum, and Clearwater Marine Aquarium are all open, along with restaurants, cafes and bars throughout the county serving guests as normal. We are looking forward to hosting some incredible events in the next few weeks including the Savor St. Pete Food Festival, the SHINE Mural Festival and the Annika LPGA Golf Tournament.
“While much of the destination has been able to re-open quickly, some of our beach communities saw historic levels of storm surge during Hurricane Helene, and therefore need a little bit more time to fully recover. However, with 35 miles of beautiful Gulf Coast beachfront, there’s plenty of pristine beach ready for visitors to enjoy.”
Tampa International Airport, which receives daily flights from London with both British Airways and Virgin Atlantic, is open. Visit St. Pete-Clearwater recommends that visitors speak directly to their booking providers and hotels for the latest advice and information about the area.
