U.S. Travel Association

VISIT TAMPA BAY PRESIDENT & CEO NAMED TO U.S. TRAVEL ASSOCIATION’S EXECUTIVE BOARD

Santiago C. Corrada to Serve on National Advocacy Board

Tampa, FL (March 3, 2025) – Visit Tampa Bay President and CEO, Santiago C. Corrada, was named to the U.S. Travel Association’s Executive Board for a two-year term, the U.S. Travel Association announced February 24.

The U.S. Travel Association represents the $2.8 trillion travel industry – working to increase travel to and within the U.S. As a member of the Executive Board, Santiago will contribute to advancing the association’s mission to shape, support and advocate for the future of travel.

“I’m honored to be selected to serve this industry which means so much to so many,” said Corrada. “I’m looking forward to working with U.S. Travel’s National Chair, Bill Hornbuckle, and the rest of the executive board to advocate and make meaningful impact for the multitude of tourism and hospitality professionals who make America’s travel industry such an important part of our nation’s economic well-being.”

Corrada has been the President and CEO of Visit Tampa Bay since May 2013. During his tenure, the hospitality industry in Hillsborough County has grown exponentially. Hotel revenues have increased from $400 million to over $1 billion per year for three consecutive years, including 2024’s new benchmark of $1.16 billion.

Along with continued revenue growth, Corrada’s efforts have contributed to the addition of new hotel properties, bringing the MICHELIN Guide to Florida, securing high-profile sporting events and entertainment, and overall destination management. Collectively, working with Visit Tampa Bay’s more than 900 partners as well as county and city officials, these efforts support nearly 60,000 hospitality jobs and have generated nearly $9 billion in total economic impact for Hillsborough County.

Before being named to the Executive Board, Corrada served on the U.S. Travel Association’s Board of Delegates for the previous 11 years. Corrada also served as the Chairman of Destination Florida in 2024. 

Corrada’s current board affiliations include The Florida Aquarium, Hillsborough County Hotel Motel Association, ReliaQuest Bowl, Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl, Arts Council of Hillsborough County, Hillsborough County Human Trafficking, Hillsborough County Cultural Assets, Straz Center for the Performing Arts, Tampa Bay Hospitality Alliance, Tampa Bay Sports Commission, Tampa Hillsborough Film and Digital Media Commission, University of South Florida-Center for Advanced Medical Learning and Simulation Health Professions Conferencing Corporation, Tampa Theatre, and ZooTampa at Lowry Park.

Prior to that, Corrada spent 20 years serving in various positions in city government in both Miami and Tampa, including as the Chief of Staff of the City of Tampa and 17 years as an educator in the Miami-Dade County public school system.

ABOUT VISIT TAMPA BAY

The heart of Florida’s Gulf Coast beats in Tampa Bay. Visit Tampa Bay encourages adventure with a relaxing vibe to create vacation experiences that are authentically Tampa Bay. As a not-for-profit corporation certified by Destinations International’s Destination Marketing Accreditation Program (DMAP), we work with hundreds of partners to tell the world the story of Tampa Bay. Treasure awaits. For more information, visit our website.