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Teaming up to attract tourists
By
Nicole Papageorge
Story Created:
Oct 1, 2008 at 6:22 PM EST
Story Updated:
Oct 1, 2008 at 6:29 PM EST
CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Fla - Two major businesses new to the area may be teaming up to attract more tourists.
"We're looking at ways to create some synergy in which we can get those folks down here for spring training," says Joe Hart, General Manager for the Rays' new affiliate.
The Tampa Bay Rays will start spring training next year at the Charlotte County Sports Park. They are in preliminary talks with Direct Air to offer baseball trips to the area.
"I know that yesterday, Punta gorda was our number one booking destination," says Ed Warnke, CEO of Direct Air.
The air carrier will start flying to six destinations from Charlotte County starting in November. Many of those destinations have major league baseball teams.
"Pittsburgh, Yankees, Red Sox, Toronto," says Hart.
Now the two may team up to offer package marketing.
"When the Rays are playing up in Boston, let's give away a trip and tickets to the game and roundtrip airfare," says Hart.
"It kind of rounds it off," says Warnke. "One stop shopping convenience, stressless, it's the perfect combination."
Warnke says he will be back in Charlotte County next week to discuss marketing plans with the Rays' and other businesses.