Spread of Zika threatens Florida’s tourism way of life

The Zika virus presents hazards unlike many the state have encountered. Tourism-dependent businesses worry that even the appearance of a dangerous outbreak could shake confidence in the state’s tourism backbone — young families. “That’s absolutely what’s frightening a lot of businesses here: Tourism is Florida’s major economy, and the service sector is hugely dependent on people coming from everywhere,” said Susan MacManus, a political science professor at the University of South Florida in Tampa. “Businesses want to believe it’s very localized in Miami. But on the other hand, they’re realistic — and fearful it’ll go beyond that.” More from the Washington Post, WJXT, the Miami Herald, and WFLX.

See also:
» CDC issues travel guidance related to Miami neighborhood with active Zika spread
» The circular way Zika can spread (an infographic)
» 15 ways to protect yourself against Zika
» Senators Rubio and Nelson called on Congress to return from break and pass Zika funding, but now it may be too late
» Miami-Dade ramps up battle against Zika-spreading mosquito
» Earlier: Find more Zika stories on FloridaTrend.com, here

Florida Trend Exclusive
Joe Redner is a ‘Florida Icon'

Adult business entrepreneur Joe Redner shares thoughts about 40 years spent managing an all-nude strip club in Tampa, including the times he was arrested, and the nine times he ran for public office. Access full story.

Gas prices keep falling; some Florida metros below $2 a gallon

It might be Aug. 1, but there's still plenty of summer left and the open road beckons as the average U.S. price for a gallon of gas fell again to $2.13 on Monday. More from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, the Florida Times-Union, and the Naples Daily News.

» Check gas prices in your Florida neighborhood, here

Florida businesses cut more phone cords in 2015

There were 1.9 million wireline, or landline, business connections in 2015, down 15 percent from 2014, and down 40 percent from the 3.2 wireline business connections in 2011. [Source: Tampa Bay Business Journal]

Florida may restrict private ownership of venomous snakes

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is considering restrictions ranging from an outright ban on owning non-native venomous snakes to stricter rules on caging and handling. More from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, CBS Miami, and the AP.

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Why Miami-Dade has more visitor centers than any city in the U.S. [Miami Herald]
Due in large part to the Miami area’s cultural diversity, the metro area has more visitor centers than any other in the U.S.

› Sagging sales challenge Tampa-based Bloomin' Brands to reboot Outback Steakhouse and other chains [Tampa Bay Times]
Bloomin' Brands, the Tampa restaurant chain giant that runs Outback Steakhouse, Carrabba's Italian Grill, Bonefish Grill and Fleming's, on Friday reported a quartet of woes.

› South Florida homebuyers frustrated by shortage of listings [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
A scarcity of homes for sale is rattling buyers, emboldening sellers and pushing prices higher in South Florida. Analysts say a market balanced equally between buyers and sellers has a six-month supply of properties

› Sarasota entrepreneurs building small empire of bars [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
Business for Tom Elliott and Rich Kunzle was always about creating a neighborhood bar. And that’s still the case. Even though now their collection of local watering holes seems more like a small empire.

Go to page 2 for more stories ...

› Winter Park megachurch plans development [Orlando Sentinel]
One of the largest churches in Orlando, Calvary Assembly, has filed a big development plan that seeks permission for a hotel and assisted-living homes on its property.

› Wisconsin firm to add 300 jobs in Fort Myers [Business Observer]
Wisconsin-based Alta Resources, a customer-management outsourcing company, plans to hire 300 additional employees in Fort Myers in the next 60 days.

› Manatee boat related deaths go up in Florida [WWSB]
The first half of 2016 has proven deadly for Manatees. According to Florida Fish and Wildlife 71 Sea Cows have been killed by boats between January 1st and July 22nd of this year.

› Sarasota-based XG hires new vice president of sales [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
XG Technology Inc., the Sarasota-based cognitive radio company, has hired a vice president of sales who most recently worked for Mercury Systems, a Chelmsford, Massachusetts-based defense electronics company.