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Chamber launches major campaign to draw new tourism
By THOMAS MICHALSKI
Article published on Thursday, June 19, 2008
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![[Image]](/content_images/061908_par-01.jpg) |
| This sign is located on I-4 near the Walt Disney World exit. |
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PINELLAS PARK – The Pinellas Park/Gateway Chamber of Commerce has launched a campaign to draw more tourism to the area by placing a billboard in Orlando and bringing equestrian events to the city.
The billboard near the Walt Disney exit on I-4 was erected earlier this month and promotes the city’s proximity to Suncoast beaches and the area’s lodging, recreation, dining and shopping attractions.
Housh Ghovaee, president of the chamber’s board of directors, said although Pinellas Park itself does not have any major tourist attractions, the city has much to offer because of its many reasonably-priced accommodations and its proximity to Tampa, St. Petersburg and Sarasota.
“We want visitors to Orlando to look west instead of north and south,” he said.
A second billboard will be installed in Tampa to draw people to the city that will be attending next year’s Super Bowl.
The chamber also hopes to attract more equestrian events into the city that already boasts a major riding path, some 800 horses and about 35 stables. Ghovaee said he and Councilman Jerry Mullins have already met three times with members of the equestrian community to see what exactly can be done to bring more horse shows and other events into the city.
“We formed a special chamber committee to look into what can be done,” Ghovaee said.
The city’s present horse events include literacy reading programs that are held at local stables, camps, yard sales and other events that are held in conjunction with equestrian groups such as the Bay Area Horseman’s Association and the Saddle Up Riding Club.
Ghovaee believes that the chamber can play a major role in jump-starting tourism in Pinellas County. With major hotels located in the city and more to come, he believes that people would not mind driving to the beaches and other attractions.
“Staying at a Pinellas Park hotel is economically beneficial to travelers,” Ghovaee said.
Indeed, there are at least two new hotels under construction in the city. Plus the present Radisson Hotel and Conference Center will soon undergo massive redevelopment and will come under the Marriott banner.
“Pinellas Park is a good base for tourism,” Ghovaee said. “This region has a lot to offer to tourists and residents alike, and Pinellas Park is in the center of all that activity.”
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Article published on Thursday, June 19, 2008
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