Sarasota Confidential

The Locals' Guide to Sarasota

Whether you’re visiting, new to town or just need a refresher on the joys of living here, explore our only-the-locals-know guide to our region.

05/04/2026 By The Editors

Life's a Beach

Siesta Beach Ranks High on 'Best Beaches' Lists

Tripadvisor and Condé Nast Traveler again place Siesta Beach among America’s best, underscoring Sarasota’s staying power on the national stage.

02/20/2026 By Kim Doleatto

After The Surge

Sarasota County Is Seeing a Tourism Slowdown

A variety of factors are at play: the aftermath of last year's hurricanes, changing traveler demographics, politics and hotel occupancy dips (even as daily rates have risen).

07/23/2025 By Kim Doleatto

High Times

With a New Terminal, New Businesses and Lots of Wealthy Travelers, Sarasota Bradenton International Airport Is Soaring

Remembering the old airport and looking ahead to its high-flying future.

05/30/2025 By Kim Doleatto

The Big Top

A New Hotel Has Opened on Lido Key

Cirque St. Armands Beachside has replaced Lido Key's Holiday Inn—and it's a major upgrade.

03/25/2025 By Lauren Jackson

Longboat Love

Longboat Key Named a Top 2025 Travel Destination by Travel + Leisure and Forbes

The island was named "Best Island to Visit in the South for 2025" by Travel + Leisure and ranked as one of Forbes' top 12 travel destinations of 2025.

02/26/2025 By Kim Doleatto

destination srq

Sarasota Tourism Is Still Going Strong

The latest numbers show that Sarasota County is still a fan favorite, welcoming more international travelers, with more future bright spots in the works.

07/25/2023 By Kim Doleatto

Q & A

Retiring Visit Sarasota County President Virginia Haley on the Past, Present and Future of Local Tourism

"I think there are endless possibilities because of the assets we have here."

02/17/2023 By Kim Doleatto

Island Hopping

Virgin Islands National Park Is One of the Country's Least-Visited Parks. You Should Go.

There are many good reasons to visit this tropical paradise, aside from its pristine beaches and abundant coral reefs.

10/19/2022 By Matt McGowan

cash flow

How to Turn Your Short-Term Vacation Rental into a Haven for Your Guests

Sarasota's Kim Cressell is turning her 20-year side gig into a full-fledged how-to business. Here are her tips for how to maximize your rental income.

07/14/2022 By Kim Doleatto

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