When you settle into the day-to-day grind of living, you often forget about the things that originally drew you to the place you call home. Pasco County is full of action and adventure that draws in tourists from around the world every day. There are activities in your own backyard that are begging to be discovered, and the team from Florida’s Sports Coast is eager to serve them up to the world.
Florida’s Sports Coast, the official tourism office for Pasco County, works hard to bring in tourism dollars to support our community. “We’re trying to create an economic impact in the community we love and serve without creating an impact on the community,” shared Adam Thomas, Executive Director of Florida’s Sports Coast. “Our biggest thing is really to create business, to create jobs and support entrepreneurship, to support small businesses through the visitation we bring on an annual basis.”
The money those visitors spend in our community results in tax dollars to help support services like police, fire, medical and education. “We’re bringing about 1.5 million visitors to Pasco County on an annual basis. That’s three times the population. That supports about $70 million in sales taxes for the general fund.” explained Thomas.
The decision to shine a spotlight on Pasco’s active lifestyle and sports opportunities came after a rebranding in 2018. After meeting with local attractions, tour operators, civic organizations, county and city officials as well as members of the community, it was clear that sports was a primary focus for travelers to Pasco. From youth and amateur sports to corporate team building and the many leisure activities offered along our 26 miles of coastline, sporting activities were a huge draw, and Florida’s Sports Coast became Pasco’s marketing niche.
With several large sporting venues like Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus of Pasco County, AdventHealth Center Ice and Mouratoglou Academy Zephyrhills, one of the top paddle facilities in the world, it’s easy to see how Pasco is able to draw large sporting events like the U.S. Wheelchair Rugby National Championship hosted by the Wounded Warriors Abilities Ranch. “It’s inspiring when we bring in these athletes. These guys are very, very competitive,” said Thomas. “We’re passionate about adaptive sports. It’s really inspiring watching these athletes competing at a very high level. It’s a beautiful thing to watch.”
There’s the possibility of big changes on the horizon with the prospect of the Storyland Studios 800+ acre sports and event complex slated to be built in Trinity. While there have been investor commitments, timing for that project is still hazy. “It’s a $9 billion project over the course of 10 years. It’s just when it’s going to start. This will be a game changer for Pasco County,” shared Thomas.
While many visitors may come for a sporting event, they find much more to capture their time and attention while they’re here. “They’re doing something else while they’re here. Our retention rate of visitors is 94%. We’re getting repeat visitation. Those repeat visitors are going out within Pasco County and doing other events and activities,” said Thomas.
These activities include scalloping in the summer, fishing all year round and kayaking along the coastline to see wildlife and the private stilt houses along our shores. On the east side of the county visitors are going for an adrenaline rush at Skydive City, zip lining at TreeHoppers, catching a hot-air balloon ride or indulging in a lagoon day at one of Pasco’s two lagoons, some of the largest man-made bodies of water in the nation. They’re also attracted to the many festivals and events held during the year, as well as the many parks and miles of trails for hiking and biking throughout the county. “That’s what makes our products so unique to potential visitors, especially in Western Europe,” explained Thomas. “They’re coming over here for multiple weeks, not for five or six days. They want to see real, natural Florida, and that’s where we come into play, because our cycling, our off-road, on road trails, are things we have that cater to the European visitor.”
Keeping informed about Pasco tourism is a great way to rediscover some of the activities available in our own backyard. “Many people don’t know everything that Pasco County has to offer,” added Raul Nardi, Marketing and Communications Manager for Florida’s Sports Coast. “I had no idea we had as much as we do. It’s a wonderful place to live, a wonderful place to visit.” Signing up for Florida’s Sports Coast newsletter at flsportscoast.com and following them on your favorite social media channel will allow you to stay in the know, impress your out-of-town visitors and know just where to take your kids to enjoy a fun day out this summer where adventure awaits.
It’s really inspiring watching these athletes competing at a very high level. It’s a beautiful thing to watch.
We’re trying to create an economic impact in the community we love and serve without creating an impact on the community.