Visit Sarasota County pitches ambitious vision

The Sarasota County Commission approved Visit Sarasota County’s strategic vision for a $10 million budget and 1 million annual visitors by 2020, during a regular meeting Tuesday, June 4.

The former Sarasota County Convention and Visitors Bureau, which promotes Sarasota County tourism, has a $5.3 million proposed budget for the 2014 fiscal year.

“That’s very ambitious,” said Commissioner Nora Patterson during the meeting, also noting the Sarasota County Tourism Development Council previously approved the long-term strategy.

Two new full-service hotels and partnerships with local businesses and residents are among outcomes that will bolster the organization’s vision, said Sarasota County President Virginia Haley.