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The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 25, 2009

Hotel Bookings Fall In Tampa Area

The number of hotel rooms booked in January declined 5.7 percent in the Tampa-St. Petersburg region compared with 5.4 percent for Florida and 7.7 percent for the United States, a Tennessee travel industry consultant reported.

In Hillsborough County, demand fell 4.3 percent to 386,345 rooms in January compared with a year ago, despite the Feb. 1 Super Bowl. However, revenue for the month increased 6.6 percent to $51.3 million.

Utility Reports Solar Power Milestone

Progress Energy and its Florida customers are generating more than 1 megawatt of solar power, a "significant" milestone for the St. Petersburg-based utility, company officials said Monday. One megawatt is enough power for 614 homes, but it's only a fraction of Progress Energy's total generation capacity - more than 9,000 megawatts.

The utility has installed more than 20 solar arrays throughout its 35-county service territory, and more than 140 customers have equipped their homes and businesses with solar panels.

Universal Cuts Resort Package Prices

Universal Orlando Resort is offering Florida residents a 45 percent discount at three on-site, luxury hotels between April 19 and June 10 in the face of a 4 percent decline last quarter in theme park attendance at Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure.

The hotel packages begin at $139 a night for accommodations and parallel a strategy of special offers and enhancements that competitors Disney and Busch Entertainment have offered during the recession.

Sink: State Should Consider Toxic Assets

Florida's top financial regulator says the state might want to invest in the toxic assets the federal government is trying to wash away from banks. Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink said Tuesday it would depend on how the buy is structured, but the discounted assets could represent a good opportunity. Sink, a former bank executive, says she's willing to look at anything to improve the state's investment portfolio.

A staff and wire report

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