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tourism industry

Tourists flocking to Cuba ‘before the Americans come’

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Bookings to Cuba jumped 57 percent for one New York tour operator in the weeks after Washington said it would renew ties with Havana. In February, they were up 187 percent; and so far this month, nearly 250 percent. The boom is just one sign that the rush is on to see Cuba now — before, as many predict, McDonald’s claims a spot in Old Havana and Starbucks moves in on Cubita, the island’s premium coffee brand. The sense that…

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Irma effect on tourism mixed

Florida could recover from Hurricane Irma’s wrath in time for its busy tourism season this winter, but that’s likely not

Guest op-ed from Darden Rice: 8 things I know about Florida’s special session on the referendum to ban offshore oil drilling in state waters

in Statewide by

1) Media coverage on partisan bickering and Florida Senate horserace implications is hurting the cause. Instead of ‘political jockeying’ news reports, how about we focus on how the ballot amendment to ban drilling in state waters is itself an important civic opportunity. This is the chance for the citizens of Florida to grasp a teachable moment and cast a vote for an amendment to enshrine permanent protection for our coasts in the state constitution. It is no more reactionary than…

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Charlie Crist asks BP for $50 million more

in Statewide by

Charlie Crist is asking BP for another $50 million in relation to the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Crist made the request in a letter to BP’s chief operating officer, Doug Suttles. Crist said the additional funds were needed for advertising the state’s tourism industry, which has been negatively impacted by the oil spill. Late week, oil began washing ashore on the Florida Panhandle and with it the pressure has increased on Crist to take a more active role.  Hurricane Alex is…

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NOAA confirms underwater oil plume

in Statewide by

A Florida research vessel has found an underwater plume of oil as deep as 3,300 feet and as far as 142 miles southeast of the BP oil spill. The finding confirms the fears of Florida scientists and political leaders who warn that oil has polluted deep waters, causing unknown environmental damage apart from the surface slick lapping at the shores of the Gulf Coast. The southeasterly location of the plume indicates it has moved in the direction of the loop…

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Oil drilling comes up empty this year

in Statewide by

From LobbyTools’ Florida Tribune: Legislation to allow drilling in state waters won’t be voted on by the House this year, Rep. Dean Cannon on Friday told the House Select Policy Council on Strategic & Economic Planning. The council chaired by Cannon, R-Winter Park, held 10 hearings and workshops last winter and spring toward developing legislation to lift the state’s 20-year-old ban on drilling. Supporters said drilling could bring jobs to Florida and revenue to the state while opponents said it…

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