'Travel and Tourism Week' kicks off in Bay Area
Visit Tampa Bay and Visit St. Pete/Clearwater are working with the U.S. Travel Association to celebrate the "power of travel" for national travel and tourism week.
New Amazon Prime scripted series filmed at The Don CeSar aimed at attracting visitors
When you're kicking back, looking for your next streaming series to binge, don't be surprised when you recognize some familiar Bay Area hotspots. Starting next month, an original scripted series, filmed and produced in St. Pete/Clearwater, will premiere on Amazon Prime.
Water being pumped from Piney Point presents public relations nightmare for tourism
While the Florida DEP says the water is safe, the images of wastewater pouring into Tampa Bay is not a look that makes people want to come here.
Local leaders remind visitors, residents of safety precautions as spring break returns
Thousands of visitors are already visiting the area, and many local school districts are also on spring break this week. For local leaders, safety is their top priority.
With eye on Key West, Florida Senate narrows local ports plan
Florida lawmakers continued Wednesday to narrow an effort to overturn a decision by Key West voters last year that placed restrictions on cruise ships docking at the city’s port.
Residents of Lido Key, St. Armands are fed up with 'party rental' properties
About a year and a half ago, residents said a developer bought homes, tore them down, and replaced them with weekly vacation rental properties, which sleep up to 25 guests each. Residents say the rentals bring trash, too many cars, and loud parties.
Business still 'bad' for airport businesses, but relief bill may help
Even though there are more travelers every day, look around and you’ll see the pandemic and its effects still evident at Tampa International Airport.
Help is needed at businesses along the beaches
The Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber of Commerce is hosting a series of job fairs to help fill positions in the hospitality industry.
Tour Terminal 3: Port Canaveral's $155 million project that has not been used due to COVID-19
The terminal is ready to go when cruises pick back up.
PGA shifts course, bringing world's best golfers to Manatee County
The tournament was supposed to happen in Mexico, but because of COVID restrictions, it’s at Concession Golf Club in Lakewood Ranch.
Florida tourism numbers lowest since 2010
COVID-19 ended a decade of record-setting tourism numbers in Florida, with the industry seeing a 34 percent drop in visitors in 2020 compared to the prior year.
Florida's vacation rentals fight revs up again in Tallahassee
A years-long effort to block local governments from regulating vacation rentals is on the move again, as House and Senate leaders revive a proposal to prevent cities and counties from inspecting and licensing properties offered on platforms such as Airbnb.
Bay Area hospitality industry adapts to unusual Super Bowl
After years of planning, Super Bowl week is finally here. The COVID-19 pandemic threw a wrench into the plans, and that's not the only unusual thing about the Super Bowl in 2021.
Florida downplays reports of medical tourism for COVID-19 vaccines
Florida was one of the first states to throw open vaccine eligibility to members of the general public over 65, leading to rumors that tourists and day-trippers are swooping in solely for the jab.
How putting Cuba on list of state-sponsored terrorism could hurt Tampa's economy
In the final days of the Trump administration, the U.S. State Department put Cuba on the list of state-sponsored terrorism, which could slow future Cuban trade and tourism, especially for Tampa, the closest major port to Havana.
JW Marriott opens in downtown Tampa after nearly three years of construction
After nearly three years of hard work, the JW Marriott on Water Street will finally open its doors to the public
Hillsborough Q4 revenue dropped nearly 50% from 2019; county officials to receive tourism update
Hillsborough County's quarter four revenue drops nearly 50% compared to 2019 amid the pandemic.
Visit Florida predicts tourism rebound after sharp decline during pandemic
Tourism was down 30% across Florida for the months of July through the end of September, compared to last year, according to Visit Florida.
Cruise cancellations further damage Florida's struggling tourism industry
As cruise lines extend cancellations, Florida's port-of-call cities, including Tampa, continue to take economic hits. This month Norwegian, MSC, Royal Caribbean and other cruise lines have canceled voyages through November, and some companies like Carnival Cruises are holding off passengers through early 2021.
Carnival canceling cruises from all U.S. homeports except Miami, Port Canaveral through Dec. 31
Carnival Cruise Line is canceling most U.S. sailings through the end of this year, the latest sign that the cruise industry’s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic could still be many months away.