Tampa tourism officials pitching tall ship visit

Tampa tourism officials are trying to attract a half-dozen international tall ships to Tampa's Channel District for next July 10 through July 14. Visit Tampa Bay officials have talked with diplomatic staffs from nations whose naval academies operate the tall-masted sailing ships, said Steve Hayes, executive vice president of the tourism marketing agency. The ships would dock along Ybor Channel for tours. The five-day festival could attract from 100,000 to 300,000 visitors to downtown Tampa, Hayes said.