As we settle into the heart of summer, I hope you had a wonderful Fourth of July holiday and are enjoying a successful season. Summer has been an exciting time for all of us at Visit Sarasota County, and we're grateful for the strong momentum we've experienced throughout the first half of 2026.

One of the highlights of the year was the recent recognition of Sarasota County as CNN Travel's #1 Best Town to Visit in America for 2026. This national accolade is especially meaningful because our marketing and communications team had the opportunity to host this writer earlier this year, introducing her to many of the local businesses, attractions, and experiences that were ultimately featured in the story.

While our team has traditionally been quick to share the spotlight, we've also come to recognize how important it is to acknowledge the role that strategic tourism marketing plays in earning recognition like this. These opportunities don't happen by chance—they are the direct result of thoughtful destination marketing made possible through Tourist Development Tax funding. We are grateful to the Sarasota County Board of County Commissioners for their continued investment in tourism marketing, which helps position Sarasota County on the national and international stage and inspires travelers to choose our destination.

When visitors choose Sarasota County, the benefits extend far beyond our tourism industry. Strong visitation helps keep our hotels, motels, and vacation rentals occupied, supports local businesses, and sustains thousands of jobs throughout our community. The Tourist Development Tax paid by our visitors also helps fund many of the amenities that residents enjoy every day—from maintaining and nourishing our world-renowned beaches, to supporting our Major League Baseball spring training stadiums, enhancing Nathan Benderson Park, and investing in other assets that contribute to our exceptional quality of life.

As always, thank you for your partnership and for everything you do to make Sarasota County such a remarkable place to live, work, and visit. I wish you continued success throughout the summer, and please remember that if there is ever anything Visit Sarasota County can do to support your business, don't hesitate to reach out to me or any member of our team. We're here to help.

Warm Regards,

Erin Duggan, CDME - President & CEO

Friendly reminder that your referrals matter! Recommend a local business to our partner program and share this information with partnership@visitsarasota.org, and for every successful referral that completes the onboarding process (including payment), you’ll receive rewards – including a comped partnership after 3 referrals!

Freshly baked pastries and Amish kitchen comfort brought together a full house at last month's Partner Coffee hosted by Der Dutchman Sarasota! Prizes were won and shared, new happenings around the county came up, and lots of connections were made. If you missed it, you missed out - and we encourage you to join us at our next partner event.

We’ve launched an Events webpage where you can RSVP for all our latest happenings—for B2B events, Partner Office Hours, and signature events. We highly recommend bookmarking it, so you always stay in the know.

It only takes 5-10 minutes to complete our Annual Partner Survey and tell us about your experience to be eligible to win an $1,800 advertising package. Your feedback directly influences how we strengthen and grow our partnership program for YOU!

Also, all visitor guide listing updates must be submitted to ensure your information is accurate, up to date, and ready for visitors. If updates are not submitted by the deadline, your listing will run exactly as it currently appears in the Partner Portal.

The deadline for both is tomorrow July 10!

Visit Sarasota County is proud to collaborate with the Downtown Sarasota Alliance for their Back-To-School Supply Drive! The campaign kicked off in early June and will continue through July 30th. During a recent media kick-off, Ursula, Visitor Services Coordinator, posed for a photo with our partners at the Downtown Sarasota Alliance.

Two donation boxes are now ready and waiting at our Downtown Sarasota Visitor Center to be filled with essential school supplies for students in need. Want to support? We invite our partners to join us in making a difference. Stop by the Downtown Sarasota Visitor Center with your donation. 

To learn more visit Back-2-School Drive - The Downtown Sarasota Alliance.

Virginia J. Haley, CDME, former President of Visit Sarasota County, will be inducted into Destinations International’s Hall of Fame, the global association for destination professionals’ highest honor. Since the Hall of Fame Awards were created in 2014, Destinations International has recognized more than 50 pioneers whose contributions have advanced the tourism industry worldwide. Haley now joins an esteemed group of industry leaders whose work has shaped travel promotion and destination stewardship.

Der Dutchman Restaurant is once again ranked among the best in the U.S., placing second in the USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Award Contest to determine the top buffets in the nation—improving one spot from last year’s rankings.

Carlisle Inn has been recognized as a 2026 Travelers’ Choice Award winner, placing it in the top 10% of hotels in the world on Tripadvisor for the third year in a row. 

At the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce’s Sarasota Business Awards, Sarasota Paradise, Sarasota Art Museum, and The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota were named finalists for the Hospitality Business of the Year Award, with the Ladies & Gentlemen at The Ritz-Carlton earning the top spot. State Street Eating House + Cocktails was also named the Woman-Owned Business of the Year and our agency of record Miles Partnership was named a finalist for Large Business of the Year. 

During Savor Sarasota, the VSC Team - partnering with Sarah Lansky, our resident Restaurant Whisperer - traveled up and down our Flavor Trail, this year featuring 68 restaurants, 55 extended menus and an estimated $2.07 million in consumer spending.

Nothing captures the spirit of summer in Sarasota County quite like gathering on Siesta Key for the Siesta Key Chamber’s Fourth of July fireworks, where the sky lights up over Siesta Beach and the community comes together in celebration. We’re proud to support this cherished tradition as a sponsor, helping share an unforgettable evening with residents and visitors alike.

Our Director of Web & Digital Engagement, Jess Bertolini and Emma Klostermeyer with the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport captured content at Bobby Jones Golf Course for the next reel in the Escapes with Emma series.  You can catch all the moments on our Instagram @visitsarasotacounty. 

The VSC Sports Team was proud to be among the sponsors of the 2026 Florida Sports Summit in Bradenton, connecting with rights holders, participating in industry education sessions, networking with sports tourism professionals from across the state, and celebrating Sports Marketing Manager Nate Sweetman's recognition as a finalist for the Florida’s Sports Emerging Leader of the Year Award.

VSC President & CEO, Erin Duggan, joined a panel for the Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee Counties, discussing all things economic development, place making, and destination marketing.

July keeps the summer sports calendar in full swing, featuring championship competition on the water, on the beach, and on the baseball diamond. From nationally recognized youth tournaments to community-driven annual events, the month continues to showcase the region’s ability to host a diverse lineup of sporting events throughout the summer.

The month begins with Beach Soccer Sarasota (July 11-12), which returns to the world-famous Siesta Beach. Hosted by The Soccer Resort LLC, Florida’s largest beach soccer tournament features boys, girls, and adult divisions while welcoming more than 800 participants and over 2,400 spectators for an exciting weekend of competition on the sand.

Following that weekend, the Summer Festival of Rowing (July 14-16) takes place at Nathan Benderson Park. Hosted by Sarasota Crew, this annual regatta welcomes more than 400 athletes, coaches, families, and rowing enthusiasts for a weekend of racing on one of the nation’s premier rowing venues, continuing the organization’s partnership with Visit Sarasota County and Nathan Benderson Park to grow the sport year-round..

Mid-July, the 2026 PW National Championships (July 18-22) bring elite youth baseball back to the region. Hosted by Prospect Wire Two, LLC, the championship will utilize premier venues throughout the area, including the Atlanta Braves, Baltimore Orioles, and Tampa Bay Rays spring training complexes. The event is expected to attract more than 80 teams, 1,700 participants, and 2,300 spectators while showcasing Sarasota County as a premier destination for national youth baseball championships.

Closing out the month, the Little League Florida 10-11-12 State Tournament (July 24-26) comes to Twin Lakes Park. Hosted by Central Sarasota County Little League Baseball LLC, the state championship will feature eight of Florida’s top teams competing for a chance to advance to the regional tournament and continue their journey toward the Little League World Series. The event is expected to welcome more than 150 participants and coaches, along with over 700 spectators.

From rowing and beach soccer to championship baseball, July highlights the continued strength and diversity of sports throughout the region while welcoming athletes, families, and fans from across Florida and beyond.

What makes your business unique?
We're a woman-owned, family-founded company with deep roots in Sarasota's community and culture. Our CEO, Heather, stays closely connected to the industry and region through board positions with organizations like Visit Sarasota County and VR Nation. That same drive to innovate led us to develop our own proprietary software, built to make every owner's experience even better.

What would visitors find interesting/intriguing about your business?
Why we haven't limited ourselves to one destination. From Siesta Key, Lido Key, and Anna Maria Island to Sarasota, and now internationally through our sister company Vaaraway, which has just entered Costa Rica, we offer a diverse portfolio of homes. Wherever you go, you'll find that same signature experience The Cottages On The Key has always provided, now on a global stage.

Do you offer specials and/or any special events?
We are currently running a promotion for Summer Savings! Coupon Code: SUMMERSAVINGS10
Sale Window: Valid for bookings made through July 31, 2026.
Stay Period: Valid for stays completed between July 1, 2026 and September 30, 2026.

How long have you been in operation?
17 years!

What are you currently working on/developing that you want to share and/or partner with other local businesses on?
Both the international entry for our businesses and the software are both extremely exciting items. These will allow us to expand and adapt and offer our beloved guests and owners new experiences they have maybe never considered prior. All while maintaining our great team and home base in Siesta Key.

If you could describe what you do in one sentence, what would it be?
At The Cottages on the Key, we understand what makes a vacation home rentals right for our guests. We make it our business to find vacation rentals of the highest standard that go above and beyond our guest’s expectations.

What do you value most about your VSC partnership?
The support, partnership, and opportunities that VSC provides to local businesses is so uplifting and makes us proud to live and work in Sarasota.

Interacted with 2,945 visitors and residents at the Visitors Centers.

Mailed and distributed 333 Visitor Guides and mailed 49 Relocation Packets.

Created 366 info bags for various groups.