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

Party On

These 25 Restaurants Are Extending Their Savor Sarasota Offerings

The official Savor Sarasota season is over, but tons of restaurants have extended their deals for a little while longer.

06/25/2025 By Lauren Jackson

Power Up

The 25 Most Powerful People in Sarasota

From business leaders to activists, elected officials and philanthropists, these are the people shaping Sarasota’s future.

04/02/2025 By Kim Doleatto, Lauren Jackson, Cooper Levey-Baker, and Megan McDonald

Seeing Stars

Visit Sarasota County Inks Name, Image and License Deal With 2024 Olympic Swimmer Emma Weyant

Weyant, who won a silver medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, will swim the 400-meter individual medley at the Paris Olympics this month.

07/17/2024 By Megan McDonald

Savor Town Returns

Savor Sarasota Returns June 1

This year's list of participating restaurants will continue to grow until the start date—so keep checking back for updates.

05/16/2024 By Lauren Jackson

Savor Town

Savor Sarasota Is Returning for Its 19th Year

From June 1 to June 14, participating restaurants will offer prix fixe menus at a discounted rate.

03/11/2024 By Lauren Jackson

Fast Track

Erin Duggan Named President, CEO of Visit Sarasota County

Duggan will take over for Virginia Haley, who retires in September.

07/06/2023 By Staff

Our Savor Returns

Savor Sarasota Returns June 1-14

Participating restaurants will offer special prix fixe menus to attract locals and visitors alike.

05/16/2023 By Lauren Jackson

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

Workshops

Public Relations Association to Discuss Tourism Partnerships

Featured speakers will include Erin Duggan, vice-president of Visit Sarasota County, and Rick Piccolo, president/CEO of SRQ Airport.

03/15/2022 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

All the deals

Here Are All the Restaurants Continuing to Offer Specials Deals After Savor Sarasota

Eleven restaurants are extending their summer specials.

06/23/2021 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Awards

Visit Sarasota County Recognizes 'Voice of Sarasota'

Historian and author Jeff LaHurd is the recipient of the award.

05/06/2021 By Staff

Summertime Madness

Savor Sarasota Will Return June 1

The list of restaurants participating this year is nowhere near finalized, but it's never too early to start making dinner plans.

04/14/2021 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Beach Guide

Visit Sarasota County Launches New Beaches Feature on App

Beach Pass encourages users to explore Sarasota County beaches and offers them a chance to earn exclusive prizes.

02/12/2021 By Staff

Coronavirus

Are Snowbirds Flocking to Florida This Year?

Forty-four percent of snowbirds said they're not going away this winter because of the pandemic—but of the ones who are, 50 percent are coming to Florida.

12/22/2020 By Elizabeth Djinis

Awards

Visit Sarasota County Receives Two Destination Marketing Awards

VSC was recognized for outstanding Florida tourism marketing.

12/09/2020 By Staff

Fast Track

Visit Sarasota County Announces Fiscal Year 2021 Board of Directors

Christine Johnson, president of Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast, has been named board chair.

12/03/2020 By Staff

Awards

Visit Sarasota County Receives Meetings Destination Recognition

This is the sixth year that Visit Sarasota County has received the award.

10/16/2020 By Staff

Fast Track

Visit Sarasota County President Re-Appointed to Visit Florida Board of Directors

Virginia Haley currently serves as the 2019-2020 Chair of the Visit Florida board.

06/18/2020 By Staff