Does Tampa Bay have the potential to become a major/global city? (Miami: high school, college)

[extreme.]

I was born and raised in Germany. When I graduated high school at 18 (in 2008), I decided to move to USA to continue my college education. I got accepted at USF, Got my BA in Political Science, and now I'm doing my masters degree.

Anyways, before moving to Tampa Bay in 2008, no one in Germany has ever heard about the area, literally no one, even the ones who lived in the US. When people used to ask me where I'm moving to in the US, I used to say, "Tampa bay.. it's a city in florida." or "Tampa bay.. very close to Miami." However, just recently, Tampa Bay has become a tourist attraction in Europe. Lots of magazines have been writing about how it's developing. Plus, Many people in Germany now know the area without me mentioning Miami or Florida.

With all the development, flourishing economy, and high job demand in Tampa bay. I've been wondering, Where do you see Tampa bay in 10 years?

[071402]

What do they post as tourist places in Tampa where you are? Restaurants, the bay, football ??

[extreme.]

Originally Posted by 071402

What do they post as tourist places in Tampa where you are? Restaurants, the bay, football ??

The beaches and the revenue from the bay.

[071402]

So they print magazine articles about going to tampa for the beach and bay revenue???

[PDF]

I say no. Currently, Tampa is in the low tier when you talk about well known/great mid-size cities in America. It needs to focus on becoming a good mid-size city first. I'm a Florida native, I no longer live in FL, but I've traveled the world and when people ask me where I'm initially from I would just say Florida. Tampa doesn't come with the recognition that Orlando and Miami do.

I suppose a lot of our tourism is from the UK, but that's changing. The addition of the Zurich and Frankfort air routes are a great addition. Tampa does have an excellent airport, I'll give it that. But Tampa still has lots of work to do in terms of being recognized and also attracting people to live there.

[Vinny536]

I think the south and other warm weather regions will be unrecognizable in 50 years. American jobs are becoming more portable, and if your job is anywhere with internet you want to live somewhere that appeals to you. The influx will create housing growth, service business growth and so on. Those of us with portable jobs are still on the fringes, but it's growing and will continue to grow.

[lwilson80]

Originally Posted by PDF

I say no. Currently, Tampa is in the low tier when you talk about well known/great mid-size cities in America. It needs to focus on becoming a good mid-size city first. I'm a Florida native, I no longer live in FL, but I've traveled the world and when people ask me where I'm initially from I would just say Florida. Tampa doesn't come with the recognition that Orlando and Miami do.

I suppose a lot of our tourism is from the UK, but that's changing. The addition of the Zurich and Frankfort air routes are a great addition. Tampa does have an excellent airport, I'll give it that. But Tampa still has lots of work to do in terms of being recognized and also attracting people to live there.

I'm originally from Atlanta and completely agree with your statement as I've lived in Tampa for the past 11yrs. People always ask me what part of Florida do I reside inn and when I tell them Tampa, there first question is usually "How far is that from Orlando or Miami?"

[Concert D Major]

Tampa is too lame to ever become a real city.

[Jimrob1]

I would say No. I don't find the area giving the impression, that there is any interest in being more than it is now.

[jdallas]

No. the geography is not conducive to major development so Tampa will never be a global city in that sense.