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Report: Out-Of-Town Rays Fans Provide Big Economic Boost

Tribune file photo by JOSEPH BROWN III (2008)

The Rays estimate 455,000 tickets were sold to fans from out-of-town last season.

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By TED JACKOVICS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 11, 2009

A study commissioned by the Tampa Bay Rays determined that baseball fans from beyond Tampa Bay generate between $136.5 million and $212.5 million in direct tourism expenditures annually, while attendance has grown over the past three years.

The Rays estimated 455,000 tickets were sold to fans from out-of-town last season, according to the report released this morning by economic consultants Arduin, Laffer & Moore. Rays attendance last season was 1.78 million.

The report said the Rays' 2008 post season created $23.1 million in publicity for Tampa Bay.

Previously, officials at Tampa international Airport and Pinellas hoteliers indicated the Rays playoff and World Series appearances provided a welcome boost in traffic during the typically slow visitors season, made worse by the recession.

The survey presented to the Pinellas County Tourist Development Council follows one the council recently commissioned by its tourism consultant, Research Data Services Inc. of Tampa, which found the Rays attracted about 5 percent of the county's 5-million-plus overnight visitors in 2008.

What effect the team's economic impact might have on community and business support in Pinellas County for finding a location for a new ballpark remains unclear.

Reporter Ted Jackovics can be reached at (813) 259-7817.

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