With frigid temperatures and blustery beaches, has our bout of winter kept visitors at bay?
Leroy Bridges of Visit St. Pete-Clearwater says visitors tend to book trips well in advance. Sure, he says, there might not be as many cabana rentals on the beach this week. But keep this in mind...
"While 50 degrees, 45 degrees is pretty cold to us, it's still 45, 50 degrees warmer than where they're coming from," said Bridges.
He says the cool weather didn't keep Outback Bowl fans from taking part in "Beach Day" on Clearwater Beach. And he says Visit St. Pete-Clearwater is already promoting Pinellas County's sunny skies and sandy beaches in places like New York City and Chicago.