Philadelphia Predicts Boost In Tourism Thanks To Cliff Lee Comeback
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Beyond fan excitement with the return of Cliff Lee, Philadelphia's tourism industry sees an opportunity to entice more visitors.
Lee's choice to publicly brush off the Big Apple and head here for less money is advertising an exposure the city couldn't buy. A billboard off 95 southbound just before Center City will soon have a new message.
Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation President Meryl Levitz gave a preview.
"Dear Cliff you are… This is... I promised myself I wouldn't get chocked up. Welcome home," the letter states.
The GPTMC is already using the message on its social networking sites, promoting Lee's choice of Philadelphia over New York City to push the city of Brotherly Love as a premier destination.
"Nothing puts the city in a better light than sports," Levitz said.
"This is a winning town with a winning tradition. We're on a roll and Philly is the place to be," Mayor Michael Nutter said.
After the Lee story broke, fans immediately started asking about buying his new jersey at the majestic clubhouse store at the ball park. The Phillies say 19,000 tickets were sold online. And according to Stubhub, the search term 'Phillies tickets' became one of the top searches on its website.
All of this comes as the Phillies have already sold out 136 consecutive games thanks to a supportive fan base that's willing to dig into their pockets even in a down economy.
"It is going to be tough to get tickets. I have to start calling friends I know," Phillies fan Adz Kozlowski said.
Phillies fan Lou Palino said he was willing to pay more money for a Phillies ticket.
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Reported by Todd Quinones, CBS 3
