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Travel–Tourism

  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Brian Hartz
  • September 25, 2020
Complex thought: Communities look to sports tourism to boost coffers

When it comes to the economic impact of sports facilities, including some shiny new ones in Gulf Coast communities, there’s a lot more to them than 'If you build it, they will come.'

  • Travel-Tourism
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Brian Hartz
  • September 25, 2020
Partly sunny skies ahead for busy Allegiant Air hub

St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport saw a 12.1 percent increase in passenger traffic, year-to-date, over Labor Day weekend.

  • Travel-Tourism
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Brian Hartz
  • August 13, 2020
Ticket to ride: Theme park details thinking behind restart

In reopening after being sidelined by the pandemic, Busch Gardens Tampa executives learned some key lessons: Go slow, set expectations and provide clear directions.

  • Travel-Tourism
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Brian Hartz
  • June 11, 2020
Current affairs: Ad agency makes quick course correction for aquarium campaign

Dunn & Co., a Tampa, Florida, ad agency, reacted quickly when COVID-19 forced its new client, The Florida Aquarium, to shutter.

  • Travel-Tourism
  • For Subscribers Only
  • 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
  • For Subscribers Only
  • 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
  • For Subscribers Only
  • 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
  • For Subscribers Only
  • 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
  • For Subscribers Only
  • 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
  • For Subscribers Only
  • 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
  • For Subscribers Only
  • 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
  • For Subscribers Only
  • 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
  • For Subscribers Only
  • 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
  • For Subscribers Only
  • 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
  • For Subscribers Only
  • 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.

  • Travel-Tourism
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