Sarasota tries to lure visitors

SARASOTA — As more than 50,000 people journey to Tampa for the start of the Republican National Convention Monday, Sarasota County hotels are looking to snag visitors of a different kind — those who want out.

Several Sarasota area hotels have announced “getaway packages” for Tampa residents looking to escape the traffic of the convention. “Looking for an excuse to escape the crowds and the hullabalo?” a release from the Sarasota Convention & Visitor's Bureau asks Tampa residents, “look no further than a quarter-tank south ...”

Selling “peace, quiet, and relaxation,” the Sarasota Convention & Visitor's Bureau's campaign touts deals covering everything from bargain hotels to the luxurious, such as the Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota. It even includes a deal for an RV resort.

Potential convention fleers can search for more information and deals on a special Visit Sarasota County Web page titled: “Get away from the RNC.”