Travel–Tourism

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.