Briefs

>> Plagued by a lack of money in recent years, the Florida Lodging Association has merged with the larger and more stable Florida Restaurant Association, creating what industry watchers call a powerful tourism lobby in Tallahassee. The lodging group existed for 93 years as the Florida Hotel and Motel Association. It was renamed last year after former Meeting Professionals International President and CEO Ed Griffin Jr. was brought in from Dallas to take the helm. The merged restaurant and lodging group's members include about 40,000 restaurants and 5,000 hotels and motels.

>> Starwood Hotels & Resorts is building a 350-room Westin hotel on Watson Island in Miami as part of the $480-million mixed-used Island Garden project. Scheduled opening: Early 2008.

>> Also in Miami, the Marriott-flagged Doral Golf Resort & Spa has started construction on a 60,000-sq.-ft. conference and meeting facility that will bring the property's event space to more than 100,000 square feet.

>> Designers have started working on a 30,000-sq.-ft. oceanfront museum in Miami that will honor a once-segregated "Colored-only" beach. The museum is part of the $40-million restoration of the 82.5-acre Virginia Key Beach Park.

>> Business travel costs are expected to increase 12% next year, mostly because of rising fuel prices, according to consulting firm Runz-heimer International in Rochester, Wis.

>> Meanwhile, a study by Orlando-based tourism industry consultant Yesawich, Pepperdine, Brown & Russell says leisure travelers won't significantly alter their plans until gas hits $3.50 a gallon.