|  | | | Tourism & Gators. Can you believe that we are near the end of February? Feels like January was just yesterday, and March just around the corner. In 2024, Jax welcomed over 8M+ visitors, solidifying its status as a top tourist destination. Alligators are still ruling the state, and Cabot Citrus Farm is making waves as the newest and hottest golf resort. |
| Quick SummaryIn our 337th edition, here’s what’s buzzin’: Tourism: 8M+ People Visited Jax in 2024 National: Gators Stats in Florida and Beyond FL Travel: Cabot Citrus Farm Featured: Domi | Covalent Reality + Vale Food Co. TLH Weekend Events
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| | |  | Image Source: Visit Jacksonville |
| ✈️ Jacksonville Welcomes 8 Million Visitors, Generating $7.4B in Economic Impact from Tourism. | Visit Jacksonville These findings were revealed in the Economic Impact and Visitor Tracking Report, commissioned by Visit Jacksonville and funded by the Duval County Tourist Development Council. The report by Tallahassee's Downs & St. Germain Research surveyed over 2.7k visitors, focusing on their economic impact and characteristics. Visitors, whether staying in hotels or with friends, spent $4.1B on dining, attractions, activities, rental cars, and more. In fiscal year 2024, nearly 5M hotel rooms were sold in Duval County, generating $31.5M in bed taxes. This boosted local employment with 56.9k jobs and nearly $2.8B in wages. Visitors also helped reduce local taxes, saving each Duval County household about $540.
Visitor Profile Highlights: |
| Top 5 Origination Markets: Orlando-Daytona, New York City, Atlanta, Tampa-St. Pete, and Miami-Ft. Lauderdale Median Age: 41 Household Income: $76,000 Travel Party: 2.4 people
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| Average Stay: 3.7 nights Daily Spend: $333 Total Trip Spend: $1,100 Return Visits: 80% of visitors plan to return Top 3 Visitor Activities: Dining out, visiting friends/family, and beach
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| | |  | | 🐊 DYK? Alligators are far more common than crocodiles in Florida. | Pillow Mod Florida is home to about 1.3M+ alligators, while the American crocodile population is smaller, with around 2K in the southern parts like the Keys and Biscayne Bay. Louisiana, known for its gator-filled swamplands, has over 2M alligators. | World Population Review Alligators thrive in freshwater habitats across Florida, while crocodiles prefer brackish and saltwater environments. Despite their differences, Florida is the only place in the world where both species coexist. Fun Fact: Large male alligators are solitary and territorial, defending prime areas. Smaller alligators often gather in groups, as they tolerate others of similar size. Unlike the aggressive Nile and Australian crocodiles, American crocodiles are shy, reclusive, and rarely seen by people. PSA to new Florida residents: Pet-owners should avoid walking pets along swamps, ponds, and lakes. Take cautionary measures wading in areas that Gators can swim to.
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| | |  | Image Source: Florida of Tomorrow |
| ⛳🏌🏻 Cabot’s first American property in its diverse collection of world-class golf destinations. | Cabot Citrus Farms Cabot Citrus Farms has officially opened in Brooksville, Florida, marking Cabot's long-awaited U.S. debut and transforming the former World Woods Golf Club into a 1,200-acre retreat. | Florida of Tomorrow The property features two diverse 18-hole courses, Karoo and Roost, along with two shorter ones, The Wedge and The Squeeze, offering four unique golfing experiences. Ranked #1 by Golf Courses of Tomorrow, it also boasts amenities such as a Trackman-equipped driving range, a two-acre putting course, axe-throwing, bass fishing, and rental cottages. Cabot offers a range of homes on the property, starting at $1.8M for cottages and $3.7M for fairway homes. Resort guest accommodations are available in rental cottages, starting at $1,250 per night through June 2025. | Golfweek
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| | |  | | Domi | Covalent Reality + Vale Food Co. Covalent Reality, an alumni of Domi Station, has benefited from the incubator’s resources, mentorship, and networking opportunities to grow their business and refine their cutting-edge technology to deliver exceptional virtual experiences. Founded in 2017, they’ve worked tirelessly to pursue excellence in virtual reality development, VR and AR applications, virtual tours, and VDC services for the construction industry. 👨🏻💻 | Learn More Vale Food Co., another alumni of Domi Station, emphasizes food integrity, offering chef-prepared, all-natural dishes with no artificial sweeteners, preservatives, or antibiotics. They support local farmers and promote healthy living. They have locations across Florida, including in Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, Gainesville, Jacksonville, Miami Brickell, Tampa, Tallahassee (FSU CollegeTown and West Tennessee Street), Delray Beach, Pinecrest. 🥗
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| |  | Image Source: FAMU via FB |
| Entertainment / Things To Do Friday to Saturday, Feb. 21 to 22 Saturday, Feb. 22 Featured Event: 2025 Harambee Festival by FAMU | Saturday, Feb. 22 | 11 AM | 1601 S M L King Jr Blvd. | Learn More Dueling Divas Duets by Theatre Tallahassee | Saturday, Feb. 22 | 8 PM | 1861 Thomasville Rd. | $20 Tickets Margarita Mile by Charlie Park | Saturday, Feb. 22 | 3 PM | 801 S Gadsden St. | $25 Learn More
Tuesday, Feb. 25 Friday, Feb. 28 Dylan Marlowe by Six String Southern & Scott Carswell | Friday, Feb. 28 | 7 PM | The Moon | $20 to $35 Tickets Learn More CARE Casino Night | Friday, Feb. 28 | 7:30 PM | Shiloh Farm - 1500 Benjamin Chaires Rd. | From $100 Tickets Learn More The Legendary Count Basie Orchestra by FSU Opening Nights | Friday, Feb. 28 | 7:30 PM | Ruby Diamond Concert Hall - Florida State University | $40 to $55 Tickets Learn More
Saturday, Mar. 1 |
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