
DATE: Wednesday, July 23, 1997              TAG: 9707230611

SECTION: BUSINESS                PAGE: D1   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY DEBBIE MESSINA, STAFF WRITER 

                                            LENGTH:   52 lines

LOCAL FUN AT A DISCOUNT NORFOLK AND PORTSMOUTH ARE OFFERING NEW COUPON BOOKS FOR AREA WATERFRONT ATTRACTIONS

Vacation packages are hot, and keep getting hotter.

The latest to join forces are Norfolk and Portsmouth, which are offering a discount coupon book to several waterfront area attractions.

The ``Summer Family Ticket Package'' includes the Children's Museum of Virginia in Portsmouth; Nauticus, the Hampton Roads Naval Museum, and the Tugboat Museum in Norfolk; and a round-trip ride on the Elizabeth River Ferry.

Coupon books are $11 for adults and $8.50 for children up to age 17. That represents a savings of $4 for adults and $2.50 for children.

Norfolk is already participating in the ``Family Fun Package,'' which offers hotels and attractions from Virginia Beach to Williamsburg. Halfway through the summer, package sales have already surpassed last year.

Other regional vacation packages include ``Surf, Sun and Revolutionary Fun'' and ``Sun Splash Fun Package.'' Sales figures were not available.

``When people go away, they want things to be easy,'' said Andi Coyle, visitor services director for the Norfolk Convention & Visitors Bureau. ``People don't want to, and should not have to, work real hard to see what a city has to offer.''

While the new package was designed with visitors in mind, tourism officials hope it will be popular with locals as well.

``With the kids home from school, it would be fun to take a day or two and be a tourist in your own city,'' Coyle said.

Coyle said Norfolk is looking at opportunities to package other attractions in the city and the region. ``We want to tie things to people's interests,'' Coyle said.

The ``Summer Family Ticket Package'' has a water theme and is geared toward families.

The coupon books are available through Sept. 1 at the Portsmouth Visitors Information Center at Portside; the Children's Museum of Virginia, 221 High St. in Portsmouth; and Nauticus at One Waterside Drive in Norfolk. ILLUSTRATION: Color photos

MORT FRYMAN, The Virginian-Pilot

The new coupon books are $11 for adults and $8.50 for children up to

age 17. Entry includes entry into the Children's Museum in

Portsmouth, Nauticus, and the Tugboat Museum ;in Norfolk, as well as

other local attractions.

MIKE HEFFNER, The Virginian-Pilot

The new coupon books offer tourists and locals alike a round-trip

ride on the Elizabeth River Ferry. KEYWORDS: TOURISM