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

Tourism

Florida Tax Revenue Generated Through Airbnb Totaled $89.5 Million Last Year

Thanks to an agreement hammered out in 2017, the company last year transferred $1.1 million to Sarasota County on behalf of its hosts.

01/30/2019 By Staff

Tourism

Tourism Nonprofit Expands Sales Team

Visit Sarasota County recently promoted Ellen Thomas and hired Amanda Walker and Allison Jones.

01/29/2019 By Staff

Environment

Historian's Talk Will Raise Money for Maritime Museum

Historian Jack E. Davis, recently featured in Sarasota Magazine, will speak at a fundraiser for the Florida Maritime Museum on Thursday, March 14

01/25/2019 By Staff

Politics

Sarasota Added to U.S. Civil Rights Trail

The Sarasota area was added to the trail because of the Lido Beach 'wade-ins'—protests created to push Sarasota to desegregate local beaches.

01/22/2019 By Staff

Tourism

Tourist Tax Collections Down Again

Tourist Development Tax collections were down by 5.9 percent last November when compared to November 2017, according to new numbers.

01/17/2019 By Staff

Hospitality

Anna Maria Island Resort Looking to Hire

Waterline Marina Resort & Beach Club is hosting a job fair for full- and part-time positions on Tuesday, Jan. 29.

01/15/2019 By Staff

Tourism

Visitors and Revenue From Airbnb Up in 2018

Roughly 100,000 visitors booked lodgings through Airbnb in Sarasota County in 2018, generating $22.8 million in revenue for local hosts.

01/15/2019 By Staff

Marketing

Educational Events Intended to Help Hospitality Businesses Hurt By Red Tide

Visit Sarasota County is helping hospitality businesses learn how to use Google My Business to communicate with customers concerned about red tide.

01/14/2019 By Staff

Public relations

Visit Sarasota Executive to Discuss Challenges of Marketing During Red Tide

Erin Duggan, the vice president of Visit Sarasota County, will speak at the next luncheon of the Central West Coast chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association.

01/02/2019 By Staff

Tourism

Tourist Development Tax Collections Down

Collections were down by 12 percent in October when compared to October 2017, a drop-off likely due to red tide.

12/26/2018 By Staff

Tourism

Florida Airports High in On-Time Holiday Travel Ranking

Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Myers was ranked No. 3 in the nation and Tampa International Airport was ranked No. 4.

12/14/2018 By Staff

Hospitality

New Downtown Hotel Opens

The new Embassy Suites By Hilton houses 180 units, including two-room and studio suites.

12/14/2018 By Staff

Hospitality

Stylish New Rosemary District Hotel Opens

The Sarasota Modern, the new Rosemary District hotel designed as a tribute to the Sarasota School of Architecture, opens for business this week.

12/11/2018 By Staff

Media

Tourism Development Nonprofit Names Two New Communications and Content Staffers

Visit Sarasota County recently hired Britney Guertin and Adam Cellini.

12/03/2018 By Staff

Tourism

Despite Red Tide, Tourist Tax Collections Up in Most Recent Fiscal Year

Collections increased almost every month of the most recent fiscal year, but declined by 19.8 percent in August and by 32.2 percent in September.

11/16/2018 By Staff

Tourism

Airline Adds New Nonstop Flights Between Sarasota and Nine Cities

The cities include Asheville, North Carolina; Baltimore; Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; Syracuse, New York; Cleveland; Columbus, Ohio; Richmond, Virginia; Grand Rapids, Michigan; and Nashville.

11/13/2018 By Staff

Sand Sport

Siesta Key Crystal Classic Brings Friendly Competition to a Childhood Pastime

The 2018 Siesta Key Crystal Classic International Sand Sculpting Festival is less "fun in the sun" and more "blood, sweat and tears."

11/08/2018 By Giulia Heyward

Transportation

Legacy Trail Extension Wins Approval

Sarasota County voters on Tuesday passed a measure that will connect the existing Legacy Trail to downtown Sarasota.

11/06/2018 By Staff

Deals

Sarasota County and Mote Agree to Terms for Land for New Aquarium

The deal will allow Mote Marine Laboratory to move forward with plans to build its new Science Education Aquarium on 11.5 acres at Nathan Benderson Park.

10/25/2018 By Staff