Experts: Big game's benefits transcend attendance questions

The Tampa Bay chapter of the Urban Land Institute looked at how much the coronavirus pandemic has ravaged the region’s tourism and hospitality industry during a Nov. 5 webinar. With the biggest of big games — the Super Bowl — coming to Tampa for a fifth time Feb. 7, the uncertain outlook of the COVID-19 crisis has cast doubt on whether hosting one of the world’s most-watched sporting events will bring a sorely needed economic shot in the arm for the area’s hoteliers and restaurateurs. 

Lou Plasencia, CEO of the Plasencia Group, a Tampa firm that specializes in sales and consulting services for the hospitality industry, says Tampa Bay is faring much better than other regions when it comes to revenue per available room (RevPAR), a key hospitality sector metric. As of September, Plasencia reports, the region’s RevPAR was $55.76, a decline of 40.7%, year-to-date. Contrast that with Nashville, Tenn., with a RevPAR that has plunged 59.8%. Only one other Florida market — Fort Lauderdale, down 36.2% — was doing better than Tampa Bay in terms of RevPAR.