ATTRACTIONS

» Singapore-based Great Wheel Corp. plans a 2009 opening for a 400-foot-tall rotating observation wheel on International Drive that can hold 960 visitors in a half-hour ride in air-conditioned pods.

» Bowman’s Beach on Sanibel Island and Bathtub Beach in Stuart have been named among the top 10 family friendly beaches in North America by TripAdvisor.com.

HOTELS/RESORTS

» Marriott Vacation Club is building a resort on Marco Island set to open in 2009 with 219 villas.

» Crowne Plaza Jacksonville Riverfront has applied to be the first hotel in the city certified as “green” through the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

» The Peabody Orlando plans to break ground this fall on a long-planned 750-room expansion that will double the capacity of the International Drive hotel near the Orange County Convention Center.

» The Grosvenor Resort near Downtown Disney is set to wrap up $25 million in renovations this month on the 626-room property.

» Hilton has launched an online group booking tool, e-Events, which lets event organizers reserve guest rooms, meeting spaces, food/beverage and audio-visual equipment over the internet up to a year in advance.