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.
Staycationers, visitors must continue following safety guidelines at the beach, tourism officials say
Beaches were busy Monday afternoon up and down the Pinellas County coastline. There were no big parties that law enforcement had to break up, and on Clearwater Beach, people stayed in their own groups.
Ahead of pivotal Labor Day holiday, rebound campaign urges in-state travel
In its first marketing campaign since the coronavirus pandemic took hold in mid-March, Visit Florida is urging in-state travel as part of an effort to buoy the state’s economic recovery and its struggling tourism labor market.
Hillsborough, Pinellas officials discuss drop in tourism due to pandemic
The novel coronavirus has infected more than half a million Floridians and led to a massive hit in tourism. The Pinellas County tourism development tax shows declines over the last several months.
Florida economy loses $23-billion under cruise line suspension
Major cruise lines are trying their best to stay afloat as they face major financial struggles. The industry has been put on pause since mid-March which experts estimate has resulted in a $23-billion loss to Florida's economy.