Visit Sarasota County Invites Community to Be a Tourist for a Day
For Destination Professionals Day, locals are encouraged to order a new Visitors Guide and explore hometown favorites and hidden gems alike
SARASOTA, Fla. – (Feb. 19, 2025) – In celebration of Destination Professionals Day on February 19, Visit Sarasota County (VSC) is encouraging locals to feel like a tourist in their own hometown and order a newly printed 2025 Visitor’s Guide.
Destination Professionals Day – an inaugural awareness event hosted by Destinations International – honors the contributions and the vital role the tourism industry plays in generating economic impact and stronger quality of life for residents.
“Destination professionals are not just marketers, we’re also economic developers and community builders,” said Erin Duggan, President and CEO of Visit Sarasota County. “By investing in our community, we’re empowering locals to share their pride in Sarasota – a genuine enthusiasm no ad or sponsorship can replicate. This inspires visitors to come, stay, and build connections of their own. By focusing on meaningful engagement, we’re strengthening our community and ensuring Sarasota remains a place people love to recommend.”
Today, there are more than 10,000 destination organizations around the world representing a broad spectrum of entities, including destination marketing organizations (DMOs), convention and visitors bureaus (CVBs), tourism boards, sports commissions and film offices. These organizations are a cornerstone of the travel and tourism industry, which employs almost 348 million people and was expected to contribute about 10% of global GDP – more than $11 trillion – to the global economy in 2024, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council.
According to Visit Sarasota County, tourism generated $4 billion dollars in economic impact locally in 2024. The taxes paid by visitors saved residents $746 per household. This tax – dubbed Tourist Development Tax (TDT) – is charged exclusively to visitors on lodging stays under six months. Moreover, for every 92 visitors who came to enjoy the beaches, parks, museums and other attractions, one local job was supported.
“This year, we also unveiled a new five-year strategic plan to guide our team through 2030,” said Duggan. “One of our key focuses is resident sentiment – put differently, being more intentional about communicating the value of the tourism to everyone who calls Sarasota County home. Because we know, when local stakeholders have a say and stake in our visitor economy, we can help keep local businesses open and residents employed all year long.”
To discover local hidden gems and hometown favorites alike, order a free visitor’s guide today. Whether the goal is a relaxing “stay-cation” or an adventure-packed day trip, everyone can find something that suits them. Plus, get to know the team at Visit Sarasota County who promote local experiences on the national and world stages, mirroring the work destination professionals accomplish every day all over the globe.