Tampa, FL (May 15, 2025) — As pet travel continues to rise across the U.S., Visit Tampa Bay is launching a playful new campaign that puts dogs at the center of the vacation experience. “Doggone Summer,” an extension of Visit Tampa Bay's annual summer campaign, invites families to bring their four-legged companions along for the adventure. The campaign positions Tampa Bay as a top-tier destination for dog-friendly travel, featuring accommodations, attractions, and outdoor experiences throughout Hillsborough County.

Whether it's splashing in the Hillsborough River, strolling the Tampa Riverwalk, or relaxing on a dog-friendly patio, Tampa Bay offers an array of experiences designed for four-legged explorers and their human companions. Developed by FKQ Advertising + Marketing, the campaign features upbeat messages like “Time to unleash the fun” and “Time to chase new adventures,” signaling that a summer trip to Tampa Bay is one the whole pack can enjoy.

“Bringing your dog along on vacation has become more than a trend—it's a way of life for millions of travelers, myself included,” said Santiago C. Corrada, President and CEO of Visit Tampa Bay. “Tampa Bay is proud to be one of the most pet-friendly destinations in the country, as ranked by WalletHub, and this campaign highlights just how much fun both visitors and their four-legged friends can have exploring everything our vibrant city has to offer.”

To bring the campaign to life, Visit Tampa Bay is collaborating with popular dog influencers to document their own “paws-cation” experiences. Through engaging social media content and paid amplification, the destination aims to reach pet owners across key drive markets including Atlanta, Orlando, and Miami— regions where road trips with pets are increasingly common.

Expanding the campaign's reach, Visit Tampa Bay is also partnering with Amazon to connect with pet parents across shopping and streaming platforms. A series of interactive audio ads—some even incorporating dog-friendly sound effects—will run on Amazon Music across Alexa, mobile, and desktop devices. The initiative will also tap into key retail moments like Pet Day in May and Prime Day in July to further boost visibility.

For more information or to start planning your dog-friendly Tampa Bay adventure, visit TampaLovesPups.com 

PHOTOS

Time to Unleash the Fun

Visit Tampa Bay is launching a playful new campaign that puts dogs at the center of the vacation experience. “Doggone Summer,” an extension of Visit Tampa Bay's annual summer campaign, invites families to bring their four-legged companions along for the adventure. The campaign
positions Tampa Bay as a top-tier destination for dog-friendly travel, featuring accommodations, attractions, and outdoor experiences throughout Hillsborough County.

Time to Unleash the Fun

Visit Tampa Bay is launching a playful new campaign that puts dogs at the center of the vacation experience. “Doggone Summer,” an extension of Visit Tampa Bay's annual summer campaign, invites families to bring their four-legged companions along for the adventure. The campaign positions Tampa Bay as a top-tier destination for dog-friendly travel, featuring accommodations, attractions, and outdoor experiences throughout Hillsborough County.

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ABOUT VISIT TAMPA BAY
The hip, urban heart of Florida's Gulf Coast beats boldly in Tampa Bay, where active adventures, sky-high coasters, exotic wildlife, authentic culture, and award-winning, world-class cuisine await you. As a not-for-profit corporation certified by Destinations International's Destination Marketing Accreditation Program (DMAP), we collaborate with hundreds of partners to share Tampa Bay's captivating story with
the world. Treasure awaits. For more information, visit our website.

For additional information, contact:
Curtis Kellogg
Director of Public Relations
(813) 218-3456/Cell: (580) 504-2052
CKellogg@VisitTampaBay.com