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

Five Fun Ways to Make Memories this Summer

Stuck at home or itching to explore? Here are a few entertaining ways to chill out with friends and family in Sarasota.

06/29/2020

Fast Track

Selby Gardens' President and CEO Appointed to Visit Florida Board of Directors

Rominiecki will represent the Tampa Bay region and serve a four-year term beginning July 1.

06/23/2020 By Staff

Reopening

Discover Sarasota Sightseeing Trolley Tours Resume June 19

‘I’m hopeful,’ says operator Tammy Hauser. ‘It’s a forward-moving thing.’

06/09/2020 By Ilene Denton

Awards

Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach Wins eTSY Award at Annual Tourism Summit

The CVB earned an award for best use of video.

10/10/2019 By Staff

There Goes The Neighborhood

Is Airbnb Ruining Our Neighborhoods?

Do sites like Airbnb boost the local economy or tear neighborhoods apart?

10/02/2019 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

Lakewood Ranch

Lakewood Ranch Opens New Information Center

The center is located on Lakewood Ranch Main Street.

10/01/2019 By Staff

Travel

SRQ Airport Sets All-Time Passenger Record for July

Last month, 147,068 traveled through the airport.

08/16/2019 By Staff

Tourism

Florida Sets Record Tourism Numbers

The state welcomed 68.9 million travelers from January-June 2019, the highest number of visitors during any six months in Florida’s history.

08/15/2019 Photography 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

Tourism

Visit Sarasota County Partners with Venice Area Chamber to Offer Visitor Center in South County

The new welcome center is open from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday, and is inside the Venice Chamber, located at 597 Tamiami Trail S.

06/26/2019 Photography by Staff

Awards

Visit Sarasota County Names Voice of Sarasota Tourism Recipient and Five Local Faces of Travel

For the last 35 years, the first full week in May has been reserved for communities nationwide to showcase the impact of travel.

05/09/2019 By Staff

Awards

Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau Announces Tourism Award Recipients

Liza Kubik and Janene Ameck were honored.

05/07/2019 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

Siesta Ranked the 15th Most Affordable Beach in the U.S.

To create the list, researchers examined the cost of parking, sunscreen, water, fish tacos, beer, cocktails and accommodations.

03/06/2019 By Staff

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