Red Tide

New Study Quantifies the Economic Cost of 2018 Red Tide Bloom

The study estimates there was approximately $184 million in losses in the tourism sector.

03/17/2022 By Staff

Tourism

A Record Number of Tourists Visited Florida in 2021

In 2021, Florida had nearly 118 million domestic visitors—the highest number in state history.

02/16/2022 By Staff

Hats Off

Sarasota Architecture Gets a Shout Out in The New York Times' Annual Travel Feature

Our town's commitment to preserving its Sarasota School of Architecture buildings landed it on the list of "52 Places for a Changed World."

01/11/2022 By Kim Doleatto

Tourism

Florida Visitation Tops Pre-Pandemic Levels in Q3

A total of 32.5 million travelers visited the state between July and September of this year.

11/23/2021 By Staff

Tourism

It Was an Unprecedented Year for Sarasota County Bed Tax Revenue

The 2021 fiscal year saw more than $30 million collected from short-term vacation rentals.

11/12/2021 By Kim Doleatto

Education

USF, McKibbon Hospitality Create Hospitality Teaching Lab

USF hospitality and tourism management students will have access to nearly 100 teaching hotels across the country that are managed by McKibbon,

11/10/2021 By Staff

Tourism

Red Tide and Covid Didn’t Hurt Summer Tourism

Thanks to the great outdoors and an "open for business" atmosphere, June, July and August all saw gains over pre-pandemic numbers.

11/01/2021 By Kim Doleatto

Tourism

New Flights Between Sarasota and Connecticut Will Start in January

Avelo will fly between Sarasota and New Haven three times a week.

10/21/2021 By Staff

Trouble in Paradise

New Hotel Proposals Push Siesta Key Residents to Consider Forming Their Own Town

But is that really possible?

08/31/2021 By Elizabeth Djinis

Tourism

Tourist Development Taxes Up Again in June

Collections in June were nearly twice as much as what was collected in June 2020, and 75 percent higher than the pre-pandemic June 2019 figure.

08/13/2021 By Staff

Tourism

'Bed Tax' Collections Were Up Dramatically in May

The Sarasota County tax collector's office took in nearly $2.8 million in Tourist Development Tax money in May, well above normal.

07/09/2021 By Staff

Now Open

After a Year of Challenges, Sarasota Attractions Are Getting Back to Normal

Business is bouncing back at some of Sarasota's most popular attractions.

06/10/2021 By Allison Forsyth

Politics

New Rules for 'Hotel Houses' Receive Final Approval

The new rules limit the number of guests who can spend the night in a vacation rental and require the owners of the properties to register with the city.

05/05/2021 By Cooper Levey-Baker

New Hires

Mainsail Lodging & Development Names New Managing Partner

Andrew Houghton will head up Mainsail's new vacation rental company.

10/01/2019 By Staff

Air-Conditioned Exploration

We Tried It: City Sightseeing By Trolley

Discover Sarasota Tours offers trolley tours in the heart of the city for all tastes and interests.

08/13/2019 By Olivia Letts

Grants

County Approves More Than $2 Million in Tourist Development Cultural/Arts Grants

The grants come from a portion of the tourist tax dollars collected to fund Sarasota County arts and cultural organizations.

07/11/2019 By Staff

Data

Tourist Tax Revenue Still Down

Tourist Development Tax collections were down by 5.3 percent in January when compared to January 2018.

03/22/2019 By Staff

Worth the drive

Sebring Festival Lets You Explore the Sweet World of Craft Soda

Sample colas, ginger ales, root beers and cream sodas, with flavors like caramel apple, prickly pear, espresso, peach cobbler, candied bacon and more.

03/22/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Tourism

Report Puts Orioles’ Annual Economic Impact at $92 Million

The analysis measures the total tourism impact created by the Orioles, combined with the club’s business operations and spending in Sarasota County.

02/25/2019 By Staff

Science

Mote Project Wins County Commission Approval

The Sarasota County Commission on Wednesday unanimously approved a series of agreements with Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium for its new Science Education Aquarium.

01/30/2019 By Staff