New JW Marriott Clearwater Beach adds to tourism and local economy
The JW Marriott Hotel Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa has officially opened the doors for the new beachfront property.
Florida House considers bill that could cut state funding for 'Visit Florida'
Some Florida house lawmakers want to cut state funding to "Visit Florida," the state's tourism and marketing agency. Instead, they want county-tourist development councils to contribute a portion of their tourism tax dollars, but some county leaders argue the bill disproportionately affects smaller counties.
Spring Break season expected to bring record number of travelers to TPA
Tourism is one of Florida's biggest economic drivers, and for many visiting the state, Tampa International Airport is the first and last thing they see.
National sporting events, spring training bring visitors from across the country to Pinellas County
This weekend, Pinellas County is hosting a couple of national sporting events, and that’s in addition to spring training.
Sanibel Island: Visitors can return in January, but tourism is still recovering after Hurricane Ian
In just a matter of weeks, Sanibel Island will reopen to the public after damages caused by Hurricane Ian. but city officials aren't promoting it as a vacation opportunity for tourists. A handful of restaurants and businesses are open, beaches are closed, and there is still plenty of rebuilding to do.
Nearly 100 Tampa, Kansas residents take vacation Tampa, Florida for free
The name might be the same, but the two places are very different. Nearly 100 residents of the small town of Tampa, Kansas were invited to visit Tampa, Florida free of charge.
Visit Tampa Bay anticipates record convention center schedule in 2023
Visit Tampa Bay reports a total of 24.6 million visitors in 2021 which resulted in $4.5 billion in visitor spending.
Short-term vacation rentals in Indian Rocks Beach divide residents, property owners
Short-term rentals took center stage Tuesday night in Indian Rocks Beach where the city commission held a special meeting to discuss issues and concerns related to vacationers.
VISIT FLORIDA launches post-Hurricane Ian campaign to help in tourism recovery
In the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, VISIT FLORIDA has launched a new marketing campaign to promote tourism.
Tampa tourism numbers set another record this year
Tourist development collections in Hillsborough County this year are shattering previous records as people flock to Florida, Visit Tampa Bay reports.
Dazzling tourism data might reveal a less than sunny side of life in the Bay Area
The pandemic hit the tourism industry especially hard, but the Bay Area has more than rebounded.
Bay Area sees spike in visitors as Florida reports record number of tourists
A record number of tourists visited Florida during the first three months of the year. In the Tampa Bay area, visitation numbers are also shattering records, even ones set pre-pandemic.
Florida braces for Spring Break visitors while facing staffing shortages
Spring break is here and Florida is expecting millions of people to visit.
SEC tournament at Amalie means big revenue for Tampa
Tourism insiders are anticipating a big impact for the Tampa Bay economy, with at least 20,000 hotel rooms rented, as the SEC tournament gets underway.
Florida's latest tourism numbers higher than before pandemic, DeSantis says
Citing Florida's lack of COVID-19 restrictions as a reason, Gov. Ron DeSantis said that the number of tourists coming to the Sunshine State in the last quarter of 2021 surpassed the visitor count in the same quarter before the start of the pandemic.
Florida tourism sets new records as industry bounces back from pandemic
The Florida Huddle and Florida Encounters conventions are running side by side at the Tampa Convention Center selling Florida's tourism industry to the masses.
CDC warns against cruise ship travel
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a recommendation Thursday telling people to avoid getting on cruise ships.
Lockdown-free Florida top vacation spot for holiday season
Cooped-up tourists eager for a taste of Florida’s sandy beaches, swaying palm trees, and warmer climates are visiting the Sunshine State in droves, topping pre-pandemic levels in recent months.
Students, hotels benefit from hands-on college program
Students at the University of South Florida's School of Hospitality and Tourism Management will soon be able to get hands-on experience working in a hotel before graduation.
Interactive map gives 3D views of all Hillsborough County has to offer
The tourism industry in Hillsborough County has bounced back from the pandemic in a big way. For folks who can’t make a trip to Tampa, a new tool helps them virtually visit the city without ever leaving the house.