Domestic travel drives record tourism
Florida attracted a record 143.3 million visitors last year, up 0.2 percent from 2024, Gov. Ron DeSantis’ office announced Friday. The preliminary estimate is bolstered by domestic tourism, which accounted for 91.5 percent of the travelers. The 131 million domestic visitors was up 0.3 percent from 2024. Overseas travel was up 4 percent on the 2024 figures, with nearly 9.3 million visitors. But the 2.9 million Canadian visitors for all of 2025 marked a 14.7 percent drop from 2024. [Source: News Service of Florida]
Florida CPA shortage prompts legislature to debate licensure overhaul
Florida's booming economy is creating record demand for certified public accountants but the profession is facing a massive wave of retirements. With roughly three-quarters of the nation's CPAs expected to leave the field within a decade, state lawmakers are considering House Bill 333 to create new pathways into the profession. Supporters said the goal is to prevent delays in everything from tax preparation to government audits, services consumers and businesses rely on every day. [Source: MSN]
Study shows seaweed may cost Florida billions
Florida's beaches are bracing for yet another intense sargassum season in 2026, and the economic stakes are high. A recent scientific study by Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution found that recurring invasions of this brown seaweed may cost the Sunshine State billions of dollars in annual losses, threatening tourism, fishing, and local businesses if trends continue. [Source: The Cool Down]
Emergency insurance assessment for Florida policyholders shelved 2 years early
The Florida Insurance Guaranty Association voted this month to eliminate the 1% emergency assessment on Florida homeowner and business property and casualty policies two years earlier than expected. The assessment was initiated on Oct. 1, 2023, to pay for bonds issued through the Florida Insurance Assistance Interlocal Agency to help cover unearned premium refunds through claims related to storm-related property insurance filings. [Source: Florida Politics]
Florida senator wants to outlaw ‘forever fees’ for community amenities
It’s been three years since thousands of residents in a Central Florida subdivision won a landmark class action lawsuit against their developer, who was illegally making millions of dollars by charging them to use their neighborhood pool, clubhouse and other features. Yet developers across Florida, including some of the biggest in the state, are still profiteering off homeowners by charging illegal “forever fees” on amenities. A state senator hopes new legislation will put an end to the practice, though the fate of her bill is uncertain as the Legislature hits the halfway mark in its 2026 session. [Source: South Florida Sun Sentinel]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Jobs vs. GDP growth: Debate grows over condition of Tallahassee economy
The latest temperature check of Tallahassee and Leon County's economy shows the area exceeding the state and country's gross domestic product growth rate. Local officials are celebrating the GDP growth as an indicator that Tallahassee's economic development strategy is working — despite a hard split among economic leaders on whether the capital city and county are seeing job gains or losses.
› Can Hillsborough and Tampa afford to pay for a Rays stadium?
The Tampa Bay Rays’ proposed stadium plan could move the team into an echelon of ballpark budgeting — both in final cost and public contribution — few in Major League Baseball have reached. The first estimate for a stadium on Hillsborough College’s Dale Mabry campus is $2.3 billion, not including the surrounding development. The team’s owners say they plan to pay for at least half of the stadium cost. For the rest — about $1.15 billion — the team is looking to Hillsborough County and the city of Tampa.
› Fort Lauderdale rolls out the ‘welcome mat’ for Spring Breakers
As the spring break tourism boom approaches, Fort Lauderdale officials want travelers to balance fun with safety — both on the beach and across the city. Mayor Dean Tantralis joined fire department and police officials on Friday to discuss safety measures and city initiatives for the break. The city attracts crowds of revelers each year. “It’s really important that the college kids know that Fort Lauderdale is putting out the welcome mat for you to come here and enjoy,” Tantralis said.
› A Central Florida firm once valued at billions has dissolved. Here is what went wrong.
Luminar Technologies' history has ended as the company completed its sale to Redmond, Washington-based lidar company MicroVision Feb. 3. The $33 million deal for Luminar’s remaining assets including its intellectual property, contracts and engineering talent marks the end of the Research Park company that suffered myriad issues leading up to its bankruptcy sale.
More stories ...
› Volcano Bay’s cashless shift signals broader Florida business trend
When guests dive into the wave pool at Universal’s Volcano Bay this spring, they’ll also be wading into a new era of payment options. The water park at the Universal Orlando Resort will transition to a fully cashless payment system beginning February 25, becoming the latest high-profile Florida attraction to drop paper currency and coins altogether. The move underscores a broader trend sweeping across the Sunshine State.
› Some Jax companies feel relief after tariff ruling, but wariness remains
After the Supreme Court struck down one of President Donald Trump’s core tariff policies, many Jacksonville business owners are breathing an air of relief, as some still remain wary of what the administration may enact in response. For Florida Water Technologies, a small business assembling and installing water filtration systems in Jacksonville, the tariffs were detrimental to its bottom line, having ripple effects on its earnings, employees and health care offerings, said Bradley Berdon, the president of the company.
› First look at St. Pete’s huge new food hall, Central Park
Five years past the expected opening date and $20 million later, St. Petersburg’s highly anticipated food and beverage hall is finally making its grand debut. Central Park St. Pete officially opens to the public Monday, inside the five-story building at 551 Central Ave. The sprawling 28,000-square-foot space, formerly home to the old Woolworth building, has been in the works since early 2020, and was initially slated to open in summer 2021.
› Someone is buying up downtown Winter Garden — and residents are in an uproar
Winter Garden’s downtown, the envy of neighboring communities for its successful blend of charm and homegrown commerce, faces an uncertain future as nine commercial buildings, eight on West Plant’s red brick streets, have been sold for millions to a new owner. Some shop owners in the buildings say they’ve been notified by the new owner/landlord that their leases will not be renewed.