Travel–Tourism

By Grier Ferguson
June 10, 2020

Travel marketing adapts during pandemic to keep close eye on mood of travelers

The coronavirus has made marketing travel and tourism a tricky business. Destinations and marketing agencies are having to rethink many strategies.

Travel-Tourism

By Mark Gordon
May 22, 2020

Restaurants face steep climb to get back to 'normal'

Clean and safe are the new industry buzzwords.

Travel-Tourism

By Brian Hartz
May 22, 2020

Restaurant chews on ways to survive, make it through summer

Sarasota, Florida-based Mattison’s Restaurants and Catering has reopened following the COVID-19 shutdown but owner and chef Paul Mattison sees a long, difficult and uncertain road ahead.

Travel-Tourism

By Brian Hartz
May 21, 2020

Wild frontiers: Zoo, aquarium leaders discuss reopening strategy

The CEOs of The Florida Aquarium and ZooTampa at Lowry Park, two of Tampa's top tourist attractions, discuss their plan for welcoming back visitors.

Travel-Tourism

By Brian Hartz
April 23, 2020

Despite knockdown punch, tourism agency finds ways to innovate

Despite a knockdown punch from COVID-19, Visit Tampa Bay, a destination marketing agency, has found ways to innovate and lead a reeling industry.

Travel-Tourism

By Business Observer Staff
April 14, 2020

Restaurateur details pandemic's toll, how he plans to stay in business

To help his company survive the COVID-19 pandemic, Richard Gonzmart, head of the Columbia Restaurant Group, isn't taking a salary and has given back his 2019 profit share.

Travel-Tourism

By Kevin McQuaid
March 27, 2020

Iconic Sarasota restaurant reeling from virus' impact

Michael's on East, famed Sarasota restaurant, feeling the effects of pandemic, statewide restaurant shutdown

Industries

By Brian Hartz
March 25, 2020

Restaurateur to staff: 'We're going to have cuts'

Restaurateur Dan Bavaro expects to lay off half of his staff — 50 people — as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

Travel-Tourism

By Beth Luberecki
March 21, 2020

Naples airport works to keep operations flowing

Despite COVID-19, the airport is still experiencing an increase in air traffic.

Travel-Tourism

By Brian Hartz
March 13, 2020

Food for thought: Restaurant industry leaders ponder their future

Ghost kitchens, automation and third-party delivery are among the many challenging developments Tampa Bay area restaurateurs are grappling with.

Travel-Tourism

By Brian Hartz
February 14, 2020

How to succeed with a legacy business in a digital age

Rob and Kerri Stuart, co-founders of Creating Magic Vacations, a St. Petersburg-based travel agency, are riding high on a surge of interest in travel agency services.