Every one of the 105 Kansas residents in a town called Tampa were invited on a free trip to visit the sunny city with the same name in Florida-so they can experience 'the other Tampa'.

Most of the group of 95 Kansans had never been to Florida, and most of the children had never flown in a plane.

The surprise vacation came courtesy of Visit Tampa Bay and Southwest Airlines and almost the entire town's population arrived at the Tampa International Airport last week for their quick holiday vacation.

The welcoming contingent of Floridians waved blue signs reading, 'You're not in Tampa, Kansas anymore,' adopting a famous line from The Wizard of Oz.

The Midwestern contingent included about 30 children, who were treated to excursions to Busch Gardens, ZooTampa, and the Florida Aquarium.

"We want to welcome our Kansas cousins for what is sure to be the trip of a lifetime," said TPA Executive Vice President for Marketing and Communications Chris Minner.

"TPA is proud to be able to give this group its first impression of the entire Tampa Bay region."

The group stayed for three nights in the Floridan Hotel, and had passes to the Tampa Museum of Art and the Glazer Children's Museum, before heading back on a nonstop flight to Kansas City.

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