Tourism

Southwest Florida's most used beach accesses could get a remodel late this year. Lee County has planned a major redesign of the four beach accesses at Lynn Hall Memorial Park. The walkways have become a maintenance issue for the county, according to Mark Kincaid of Coastal Engineering Consultants, who presented the project to the Local Planning Agency at their meeting on Jan. 8.

TALLAHASSEE, FLA. Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis began following up on a campaign promise to make the environment a priority by signing an order Thursday seeking to tackle Florida's problems with blue-green algae in its rivers and red tide off its coast.

GULF SHORES, ALA. The sugar-white sand in Gulf Shores is Alabama’s most popular half-mile stretch of public beachfront. This area also is undergoing $15 million in renovations and city officials want to keep it looking nice. So, in June, city officials adopted a wide-ranging list of regulations that included an Alabama first: The public beachfront became smoke-free.

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan 15, 2019--JetBlue (NASDAQ: JBLU), along with The Nature Conservancy, whose mission is to conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends, today released a new report focusing on the connection between natural resources and tourism. The report’s results revealed that the Caribbean is more dependent on tourism than any other region across the globe and highlights new data on the benefits that coral reefs provide to the travel industry and the region’s economy.

Tourism is the backbone of Fiji's economy but it's under threat; the Pacific island paradise and many of the vibrant coral reefs that hundreds of tourists, particularly Australians, come to see have been killed off in mass coral bleaching events.

Powerful coastal winds caused by the likes of storm Ali and other winter storms, have slowly eroded the beach away. The incredible Irish beach that returned after being lost for 33 years has vanished again - after it was hit by powerful storms. Dooagh Beach in Achill, Co Mayo reappeared in April 2017 for the first time since 1984, but has once again vanished into the Atlantic.

What tickles your fancy when land meets sea? Brad Farmer recommends choosing your ‘best beach’ discerningly

Ask Australians about their favourite beach and you’ll get 11,000 different answers. With 85% of the population living within 50km of the coast, the beach holds a special place in Australian culture, identity and our capacity for endless arguments.

TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Ron DeSantis used his opening week in office to underscore a campaign pledge to tackle Florida’s deepening environmental problems, with the former Navy lawyer saying he wanted the state on a “war footing.”

It’s news millions of Floridians have been waiting eight years to hear: Their governor plans to take the state’s water quality seriously and to back up those plans with serious money.

Septic tanks are one of the primary triggers for toxic algae blooms throughout the state, the Senate Agriculture, Environment and General Government Appropriations Subcommittee was told Wednesday.

(CNS): Less than 44 inches of rain fell in the Cayman Islands in 2018, almost 13 inches below the 30-year average of 56.2 inches, the National Weather Service has revealed in its annual assessment of the islands’ rainfall.

OLD FORGE, NY — The average snowmobiler in Oneida County rides between 100 and 200 miles through the county’s trails each year.

Leave it to our state legislators to craft the most cumbersome and excessive short-term rental tax they could have possibly come up with. Instead of divorcing this tax from the hotel/motel tax and imposing a flat-rate statewide tax, there will be different rates based on which town the rental is located in, whether or not the owner has more than one rental in a town and whether or not the town imposes the additional 2.75 percent wastewater treatment add on.

The last weekend of summer vacation in Lee County—the time when families might have been enjoying one last hurrah—Fort Myers Beach was empty.

My spoon slides through an unidentifiable substance, unexpectedly similar to foie gras, as I glance over my menu to double-check the dish in front of me. “Eat Your Invasives,” it reads. It’s a kiawe flour paté — and it’s delicious..

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Tourists flocked to Indian River County in 2018 and the county has almost $3 million to show for it. Tourism taxes, commonly known as the bed tax or hotel tax, pumped $2.96 million into county coffers, up $300,000 — or about 11 percent — over 2017.

Speaker of the House McKeeva Bush believes buildings of 50 stories and higher are the next step for Cayman’s tourism product. The former premier courted controversy in his annual New Year’s message, by suggesting the island should consider sanctioning skyscrapers on Seven Mile Beach.

Florida and the First Coast experienced another year of record-breaking tourist visits in 2018, keeping pace with the last half-decade of record-setting visitation numbers.

We do not have oil, gold, bauxite or gas but Grace Bay Beach on the Island of Providenciales in the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) is considered to be the best beach in the world. Almost every year for the past couple of years, Grace Bay Beach was selected by guests, travel agents and international media outlets as the best Beach in the World. We cannot and should not take this lightly.

Florida Rep. Randy Fine on Friday filed a bill for the upcoming state legislative session that provides $50 million in annual state matching funds for Indian River Lagoon rehabilitation projects.

In early January 2018, a nor’easter pummeled the East Coast. A record-breaking high tide rendered many streets in Boston impassable and seawater rushed down Seaport Boulevard in Boston’s Seaport District. A deluge of water poured down the steps leading down to the Aquarium subway station, forcing it to close.

TALLAHASSEE — Gov.-elect Ron DeSantis calls himself a “Teddy Roosevelt conservationist” and allies say he is genuine when he vows to make the environment a top priority of the incoming administration.

No passports or vaccinations were required for holidays when Jacinta Allardice was a child. Family getaways simply involved squeezing into the back of the car and following the Pacific Highway north to Port Stephens.

ATLANTIC BEACH, N.C. (WNCT) - - The town of Atlantic Beach is stepping up its efforts to provide accommodation to visitors and locals who use the town's public beach access.

The holidays are a special time for families in North Carolina to gather and look ahead to the new year with anticipation and enthusiasm. It’s also a time when we reflect on the past year including memorable highlights and challenges.

NDO – Vietnam’s tourism sector continued to witness impressive growth in 2018 as the number of foreign arrivals hit a new record of more than 15 million and the total revenue from tourist services is expected to reach more than VND600 trillion. Although there are still many difficulties and challenges, the sector has grasped opportunities to advance further.

The coming year looks promising for tourism and, as a result, the Coast economy, Visit Mississippi Gulf Coast says. The region’s tourism bureau reports room reservations are up for 2018 and group bookings headed into 2019 are already strong. The group bookings are for business meetings and sports teams visiting places such as the Gulfport Sportsplex.

With 2019 approaching, Walton County can expect to see some renovations to popular South Walton amenities. Not only will the multi-use paths of Eastern, Draper and Deer lakes be upgraded, but so will the county’s public beach accesses, as well as the construction three more, according to Brian Kellenberger, director of beach operations for the Tourist Development Council.

APTOS — The latest in a series of beach-access disputes came to a head Tuesday morning as work crews demolished a wall and a fence blocking off both sides of what officials say is a public walkway overlooking Rio Del Mar Beach in Aptos.

Interior Department challenges role of Cape Cod National Seashore Advisory Commission in park management.

Florida’s natural wonders have been in the news this year for all the wrong reasons: toxic tides, green slimes and rotting marine life.

Many islanders will say these are the best gifts that could arrive to Anna Maria Island: Clear air. Clear water. Little red tide.

(CNS): Emotions ran high at a public meeting in West Bay on Tuesday, when district residents met with the owner of Calico Jack’s beach bar and begged him to pull his application to dredge an area in Barkers that would remove more than four acres of turtle grass.

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. —Five years ago, Facebook billionaire Sean Parker held an extravagant wedding in Big Sur, after which he agreed to pay $2.5 million to settle violations of California’s coastal laws because his crews built rock walls, a stone bridge, a cottage, dance floor and other structures in a sensitive redwood forest — without permits.

The U.S. Supreme Court won’t decide until next year whether to consider arguments from residents of Chief Justice John Roberts’ Indiana hometown of Long Beach over ownership of the Lake Michigan community’s shoreline. The case could have a ripple effect for public and private property rights across the Great Lakes states.

Latest bed tax figures for Sarasota County show 12 percent drop in October compared with October 2017. Hotels of all tiers are reporting that their business is down.

With the 2018 holiday season in full swing, nearly a third of Wrightsville Beach’s hotel rooms remain unavailable for booking because of damage caused by Hurricane Florence.

Sanibel and Captiva businesses suffered lost revenues of almost $27 million. "Our accommodations businesses lost $4 million in bookings," he said, "and restaurants lost $1 million, which translates to $100,000 in gratuities lost to servers."

New Zealand - A remarkably intact shipwreck has been lifted off a Kaipara beach in Northland. Massive diggers were called in to free the Daring, a schooner beached for more than 150 years. This 17-metre schooner, beached in 1865 during wild gales, was buried and then forgotten.

The state bond commission has officially approved a $14.6 million award the City of Bridgeport to be used for infrastructure and economic development.

After years of debate, home-sharing, made popular by online platforms like Airbnb, will now be regulated after the City Council's vote Tuesday.

JACKSON — Homes on the Mississippi Gulf Coast lost more than $263 million in value due to rising sea levels, a peer reviewed study by scientists with the First Street Foundation and Columbia University found. Rising sea levels hit Bay St. Louis hardest, with the city losing $95.4 million in home value over the 12 year study period between 2005 and 2017.

MANATEE - It was cold and blustery Monday morning along the beaches of Anna Maria Island, with larger-than-usual blue-green waves breaking on shore. Visitors were bundled in jackets and long pants to ward off the 63-degree chill as they walked along the sand or sat in folding chairs. But at least it wasn’t snowing and there was no sign or smell of red tide.

As holiday lights begin to brighten local neighborhoods, members of Monterey County’s $2.85-billion hospitality industry are wrapping up a year spent supporting the community they call home.

A working group report on the regulation of online accommodation sharing websites like Airbnb and VRBO has input from just about every relevant stakeholder—except the tourism industry. Province’s report is missing industry input because the industry walked away from the table, says former TIANS member.

The Collier County tourism bureau is pushing the message, "The coast is clear." Some residents are saying it could be misleading to tourists.

MANNS HARBOR, N.C. Three new Outer Banks ferries will be capable of carrying more people and travel faster than ever on the state’s busiest route. A new 180-foot $9.7 million vessel, named the Rodanthe, arrives in March with the capacity for 40 cars.

Whoever said Canada doesn’t have world-renowned beaches (we’re looking at you, Australians), has clearly never been to Long Beach.

There is a wild beauty to the South Carolina Sea Islands and Low Country.

FORT PIERCE — St. Lucie County experienced a 6.1 percent increase in bed tax revenue for the 2017-18 budget year, compared to the previous record-breaking year.

Hourglass Project targets good paying jobs

Summer was tough and leads for places to stay in January-March fell from 326 last year to 196 this year. The tourist development tax, a 5 percent levy also known as the bed tax generated by short-term rentals, fell in Sarasota County by 32 percent in September and 20 percent in August. In Manatee County, bed tax collections fell by 18 percent in September but increased 1.3 percent in August.

The county raked in $1 million more in revenue than last year, when the county sold 200,000 more passes overall.

TALLAHASSEE — A Senate Democrat this week filed a proposal that could refuel a debate about beach access in Florida. But Senate President Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton, indicated he does not want to revisit a controversial law that critics say can help private landowners prevent public access to some beach areas.

The local 5 percent tourist tax is collected from owners of accommodations rented for six months or less who charge the tax to their renters, in most cases, tourists.

After a spate of recent shark attacks, new analysis shows the spots you’re most likely to come face-to-face with a man-eater this summer.

Current, patchy red tide compared to a seasonal bloom. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reports 193 manatee deaths because of red tide or suspected red tide poisoning. Close to 300 sea turtles and 74 dolphin strandings are attributed to the bloom.

From Puerto Rico to the Virgin Islands, the islands hardest hit by Hurricanes Irma and Maria are in full comeback mode and ready for a visit. Here’s what’s restored, what’s new, and where you should plan your next vacation.

DURHAM — Population growth and climate change are major stressors on Great Bay, but efforts are underway to restore ecosystems in the beloved body of water often dubbed New Hampshire’s “hidden coast.”

Finally. The words everyone’s been waiting to hear. Red tide conditions may be improving at least for the short term. “The 11/18/2018 morning beach (red tide) observation report is ALL CLEAR,” stated the post on Pinellas County Environmental Management’s Facebook post.

We’ve long felt it was unfair and detrimental to the hospitality industry for New Jersey to pile room taxes and fees on hotels while giving online room renters such as Airbnb a free ride. So we were glad that legislators and the governor finally leveled that playing field in this year’s budget agreement.

In the aftermath of the Sept. 15 fatal shark attack on a bodyboarder in Wellfleet, local legislators promised towns that state money and expertise would be available to help better protect and educate the public, as well as enhance the rescue and treatment of future victims.

New Hanover County tourism officials are working to recover the local travel industry, post-Hurricane Florence. As the region continues to recover from the September storm, the Wilmington and Beaches Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) recently announced a plan to get the industry back on track.

From Belize to Barbados, tourist beaches have been swamped by huge tides of foul-smelling sargassum – and climate change could make the problem worse

A strong May start and a lively September finish to the summer beach season enabled the city of Gloucester to reel in close to $2 million in daily beach parking fees — nearly $180,000 more than in the prior year.

CLEARWATER - Little has stood in the way of Pinellas County's explosive tourism growth in recent years. Then came Red Tide. The arrival of toxic algae blooms on Pinellas beaches two months ago has finally stalled ever-climbing hotel bookings: The latest data available shows a 6 percent dip in overnight room sales in September. That's the biggest dip local hotels have seen in years.

When sun worshippers, homebuyers, restaurateurs and other investors began realizing that Asbury Park had a perfectly good beach barely an hour from the Holland Tunnel, with vintage arcades and a rock 'n roll shrine to boot, city officials adopted a Waterfront Redevelopment Plan in 2002 to guide what would finally prove to be the faded tourist town's long-awaited resurgence.

We know it can be hard to keep up with the news from Florida while you're summering away, free from humidity, afternoon thunderstorms and the worry of an alphabetical list that can rip your roof off. So each November, we bottle up all the Longboat happenings you missed and bring them to you thusly. Enjoy!

During red tide crisis in September, Sarasota County hotel rooms were only 39.9% full

The storm hammered Pender County’s beaches, but officials say the recovery is already well underway

If your ideal spring break includes tequila shots on the beach, blasting music from your car at 4 a.m., and smoking a joint in public, then Miami Beach isn’t the place for you. At least, that’s the message that the city’s police department sent to college students this week in letters warning that — after a particularly rowdy spring break last year — the island plans to crack down on behavior that hurts residents’ quality of life.

Of the more than 5,000 votes counted as of early Wednesday morning, 58 percent had voted yes on Measure M.

More advertisements will also appear in publications such as Real Simple, Better Home and Gardens and Garden and Gun.

Toxic algae is killing Florida's sea life

The red tide that’s plagued Florida’s Gulf Coast for a year and made a rare jump east earlier this month wasn’t vanquished by Hurricane Michael.

Tourists once headed to Panama City Beach and other parts of the eastern Panhandle are now winding up in Pensacola Beach.

World travelers seek new destinations outside of the usual locales and coastal sites are at the top of the list

As of August, more than $56.5 million in bed tax, aka tourist development tax, had been collected.

At its October meeting, the Dare County Tourism Board moved forward with two initiatives.