| With property prices seemingly on the rise and rising | | | | worlds, Disney, of course - and the many areas of |
| quickly in Tampa, there is a lot of talk about a real | | | | unspoiled beauty. And, if anything, this annual visitation is |
| estate bubble in the US and dire predictions that the | | | | set to increase again as the Super Bowl comes to |
| so-called bubble could burst, leading to a lack of | | | | Tampa in 2009. This will be the fourth Super Bowl to |
| confidence on the part of investors and people | | | | be held in Tampa. This has a dramatic effect on our |
| seeking a second home. But while this talk of a bubble | | | | area's prosperity. |
| may be true in some parts of America, it isn't justified | | | | The increasing economic prosperity also makes Florida |
| in Florida, particularly in the Tampa Bay and Clearwater | | | | in general and Tampa Bay in particular a good place to |
| areas. | | | | find a job or start a business. In 2004, Florida was |
| Florida as a whole is enjoying a rise in property prices | | | | ranked #2 as one of the best places in America for |
| which promises to be a long term trend. There are | | | | start-ups. More and more companies are also |
| many reasons for this. | | | | relocating their headquarters to Tampa, as well. |
| Demand for real estate in Florida is increasing. Homes | | | | Tampa is now being called the "Gateway to the |
| are being bought for various reasons. Both American | | | | Florida High Tech Corridor", because companies are |
| and European holiday makers view Florida as a | | | | being offered a matching grant program that has |
| premier summer holiday location and flock there each | | | | generated more than $120 million in applied research. |
| summer and historical evidence suggests that this | | | | 225 companies have already taken advantage of this. |
| figure is rising sharply and is having a major economic | | | | The area has relatively low real estate prices and a |
| impact on the region according to VISIT FLORIDA | | | | lower cost of living and higher employment statistics |
| research. | | | | compared to the rest of Florida and to other states in |
| Historic Visitor Numbers (in Millions) | | | | America, despite recent increases. The median value |
| Year Total | | | | for a home in Florida was $189,500 last year, |
| 1999 58.9 | | | | significantly less than similar homes in California where |
| 2000 72.8 | | | | the median home value was $474,370. (Source: ). In |
| 2001 69.5 | | | | Tampa Bay, it was less again. |
| 2002 73.9 | | | | Florida, including Tampa, also enjoys the advantage of |
| 2003 74.6 | | | | having slightly more favorable property taxes |
| 2004 79.7 | | | | compared with other parts of the US, no state income |
| Historic Economic Impact | | | | tax and better car insurance rates. The education |
| Total Tourism Spending 1999-2004: | | | | system has undergone considerable improvement |
| 1999 - $44.6 billion | | | | over the past number of years. And the Tampa area |
| 2000 - $48.5 billion | | | | also has some of the best commute to work times in |
| 2001 - $48.6 billion | | | | the country. |
| 2002 - $49.5 billion | | | | Tampa Bay is perhaps the ideal place not just for the |
| 2003 - $51.5 billion | | | | baby boomer buying a second house or holiday home, |
| 2004 - $57.0 billion | | | | nor just for the property investor seeking to increase |
| Total State Sales Tax Revenues from Tourism | | | | their footprint in the holiday rental market, but also for |
| 1999-2004: | | | | people starting out in life or those seeking a retirement |
| 1999 - $2.7 billion | | | | home. |
| 2000 - $2.9 billion | | | | There have been several new developments in |
| 2001 - $2.9 billion | | | | Tampa Bay Florida real estate and Clearwater Beach |
| 2002 - $3.0 billion | | | | real estate holdings; the plans for developing |
| 2003 - $3.0 billion | | | | downtown Tampa, especially the Rivergate area, are |
| 2004 - $3.4 billion | | | | potentially very exciting indeed, according to recent |
| Number of Persons Directly Employed by | | | | articles in the Tampa Bay Business Journal. |
| Tourism Industry 1999-2004: | | | | In short, Florida as an area for either relocation, |
| 1999 - 826,200 | | | | investment or a second home is currently one of the |
| 2000 - 842,900 | | | | most attractive in America and likely to remain so for |
| 2001 - 864,500 | | | | some time. Due to the recent economic pressure on |
| 2002 - 862,900 | | | | the US as a whole there might be a slight slow down |
| 2003 - 871,000 | | | | in terms of escalating appreciation but Florida remains |
| 2004 - 912,700 | | | | a great place to come and a great place to invest, |
| This growth in visitors is due to Florida's many | | | | especially Tampa Bay real estate and Clearwater Bay |
| attractions, many of which are near to Tampa Bay. | | | | real estate, which are right in the heart of the potential |
| The superb beaches, the night life opportunities, golf | | | | growth areas. |
| and other sporting opportunities whether playing or | | | | No bubbles bursting here, just opportunities galore! |
| being a spectator, the theme parks and adventure | | | | |