Gator Bowl's impact on the economy

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Gator Bowl is expecting to bring tens of thousands to the area, and for some local businesses, that means a strong start to the new year. 

The Omni Hotel in Jacksonville has said reservations started getting made as soon as fans found out Georgia Bulldogs would be taking on Nebraska Cornhuskers, and they're still coming in now. 

The hotel is almost at full capacity for New Years Eve and New Years Day. It's thanks in part to the Bulldogs staying at the hotel with their families, and that's something that makes Omni's director of sales and marketing, Mike Islava, very happy.

"It also brings an energy to the hotel to the hotel when you have the players, and the families, and the excitement coming up to Jan. 1," said Islava. "How could you not want that?"

It's not just Jacksonville seeing a boost either. The Cornhuskers are staying at the Sawgrass Mariott in Ponte Vedra. 

The Mariott said they are honored to have the team there again, and other visitors staying there are planning on making a trip to St. Augustine while in town.