Economic Development 2023: The business of tourism

In 2022, Hillsborough County tourist development tax numbers (also known as the “bed tax,” which is a fee collected by the county for each night someone rents a hotel room) broke records as November totaled $5.76 million, a 46.2% increase over the previous November. This was the best in the county’s history, according to the … Read more

Tryp Air Charter expands fleet

Tryp Air Charter has added another aircraft to their Pilatus charter fleet. The additional aircraft is a Pilatus PC12-NG, single-engine turbo prop. The Pilatus PC12-NG has one of the best safety ratings, and offers exceptional features, making it a great choice for business or pleasure travel, according to a statement. The aircraft cruises at 28,000 … Read more

Port Tampa Bay launches app to help cruise guests explore Tampa

Port Tampa Bay has released a new tool to help cruise guests make the most of their time in Tampa Bay before, and after, their cruise. The Port Tampa Bay Cruise App is a web-based platform that directs guests toward points of interest in the area. The app locates restaurants, shops, breweries and entertainment, within … Read more

Small Business of the Year Spotlight: Yacht Starship Dining Cruises

Yacht Starship Dining Cruises, LLC      Troy Manthey, president and CEO & Jill Manthey, vice president of sales & community relations/owners Year won SBOY: 2016 Number of employees: 225 Year business established: 2001 What does your company do? What makes it unique? Yacht Starship Dining Cruises is the largest operator of dining yachts in Florida, with … Read more

What does infrastructure need to do to keep up with Tampa Bay’s growth spurt?

It’s not breaking news. We are all keenly aware of it.   Tampa Bay is one of the hottest spots in the United States. Everyone wants to be here. Businesses, tourists, visiting relatives … who can blame them? It’s great here. But now that the word is out, this great place to live must accommodate … Read more

Flying high: Why more travelers are choosing to fly private

Travel is more than just getting from Point A to Point B.  It’s an important service industry, integral to a professional’s workdays and leisure nights, critical for companies and families. The image of private charter flights as the privilege of only the superwealthy, or celebrity-few, is changing.  A current trend for busy executives, and leisure … Read more

LaPlaya Beach and Golf Resort is Naples’ sleepy secret (PHOTOS)

One of the benefits of living in Florida is that you can leave your “home” paradise for a new, different, paradise when the mood strikes you, easily. And you only need a few hours to do so. With that in mind, Naples presents a wonderful option. Only 2½ hours south of Tampa Bay, you’ll find … Read more

Music City revisited

In early October 2021, Ketch Secor looked out across the sold-out crowd at the Grand Ole Opry and launched into his best Roy Acuff impression. Mimicking the fabled “King of Country Music” and Grand Ole Opry empresario, Secor lowered his voice to a gravely baritone and bellowed Acuff’s advice, dutifully observed by every performer who’s … Read more

A luxury resort along an iconic stretch of Bahamian beachfront celebrates 70 years

By Randi Aileen Press and the Lifestyle Magazine staff The muted pink sands along the Atlantic Ocean side of Harbour Island—a 3-mile stretch that, in some places, extends as wide as 100 feet—are notoriously cool to the touch. No matter the tropical temperature in the Bahamian resort town, some 50 miles east of Nassau, beachgoers … Read more