VSPC requests $5M from BP
Visit St. Petersburg Clearwater on Friday formally requested $5 million from BP.
The funding would help Pinellas County's convention and visitors bureau fight oil spill perception issues in feeder markets such as New York City, Chicago, and Philadelphia during the fall and winter seasons.
Visit Florida research has shown negative perceptions stemming from the BP oil spill could cost Florida as much as $6 billion in lost revenues in the coming year, a news release said.
BP earlier on Friday announced it would award $7 million to several locations in Florida’s Panhandle region.
VSPC in June was awarded $1.15 million out of BP’s initial $25 million tourism marketing and advertising award to Florida.