Tourism industry focuses on new strategies

The Bradenton Herald  launched a year-end series this week in which we take a look at how various industries in Manatee County fared and what's on the horizon for 2011. We started with an overall report on the local economy and its recovery.

Today, I took a look at tourism in this report. The industry saw the ramifications of one of the biggest oil spills in U.S. history, but the latest statistics show the area has come out without significant losses. The story also looks at what the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau and Sarasota Bradenton International Airport have planned to drive more travelers to the area.

We'll collect this two-week series here at Bradenton.com/economy and include updates and your comments.