- January 16, 2025
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Parked outside the expansive walls of glass during the Jan. 14 grand opening ceremony of the new Concourse A at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport was an Allegiant Air Airbus A320 sporting a custom marine life-themed wrap promoting the Sarasota-Bradenton area as a tourism destination.
The design of the aircraft, which is scheduled to be based at SRQ, showcases the area’s marine life from starfish and seashells to splashes of colors emblematic of Florida’s coastal environment. During his remarks prior to snipping the ribbon to celebrate the five new gates, SRQ President and CEO Rick Piccolo said it was the first time in the airline’s history that a plane had been emblazoned by a travel destination marketing effort.
The $63,231 cost of the design was divided between the Visit Sarasota County, Bradenton Area Conventions & Visitors Bureau.
“Most people flying through SRQ airport are visitors, meaning their dollars are helping fuel access to so many destinations, which in turn gives our residents even more options to experience,” said Visit Sarasota County President and CEO Erin Duggan in a news release. “This branded aircraft is yet another way we’re strengthening our region’s status as a must-experience destination nationally, helping to not only invite more visitors but also keep local businesses thriving and residents employed.”
In 2017, Visit Sarasota County, Bradenton Area Conventions & Visitors Bureau and the airport created the Airline Marketing Program to incentivize airlines to bring new routes into the area. As the airport and carriers secures routes, both tourism bureaus provide marketing dollars to promote Florida’s West Coast in those target markets.
“It is spectacular to see the creative results of the marketing teams at Visit Sarasota County, Bradenton Area CVB, and Allegiant,” said Piccolo in the news release. “This aircraft, which will be traveling nationwide, promotes the Sarasota-Bradenton area, its beaches and the local community.”
Since its inception, the joint marketing effort has highlighted Sarasota and Manatee counties in more than 40 destinations.
