Visit Sarasota County Awards Voice of Sarasota at Regional Celebration for National Travel & Tourism Week

On May 6, more than 200 regional business representing the hospitality industry gathered at the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport for the region’s annual National Travel & Tourism Week celebration. This year, the event was hosted jointly by Visit Sarasota County, the Bradenton Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, and SRQ Airport. The festivities were held within the airport’s new Concourse A, where the tourism bureaus’ co-branded Allegiant plane was ready to welcome attendees with photo-ops and tours.  

The evening culminated with the naming of John and Amanda Horne of Oysters Rock Hospitality as the 2025 Voice of Sarasota. Richard Russell, Visit Sarasota County’s Board Chair and Sarasota Opera General Director, presented the Hornes with the award noting their immense contributions to enhancing Sarasota County as a tourism destination.

 
Erin Duggan, President & CEO of Visit Sarasota County, and Richard Russell, General Director of the Sarasota Opera and Board Chair for Visit Sarasota County, present the 2025 Voice of Sarasota to John and Amanda Horne of Oysters Rock Hospitality. (PHOTO LEFT TO RIGHT: Erin Duggan, John Horne, Amanda Horne, and Richard Russell). Photo Credit: Bradenton Area Convention & Visitors Bureau.

“It’s a privilege to present this year’s Voice of Sarasota award to two leaders who embody the heart of hospitality in our community,” said Richard Russell, General Director of the Sarasota Opera and Board Chair of Visit Sarasota County. “John and Amanda’s exceptional commitment to enriching the visitor and resident experience along Florida’s West Coast makes it fitting that we present this award to them at a two-county collaborative event that is taking place along the county line.” 

John and Amanda Horne have long supported the Sarasota-Bradenton region, but in recent years, have focused farther south with key investments. In 2022, Oysters Rock Hospitality purchased the 52-year-old Café L’Europe, guiding its revival as the Café on St. Armands and helping it endure multiple hurricanes. In March 2024, they brought Anna Maria Oyster Bar to North Port, marking their first Sarasota County location. The Hornes now join the ranks of past Voice of Sarasota award recipients which most recently have included Jennifer Rominiecki (2024), Michael Klauber (2023) and Fredrick J. Piccolo (2022). 

Following the award recognition, attendees also enjoyed raffled giveaways including a pair of airline tickets, courtesy of Allegiant Air, and complimentary airport transfers – either to/from SRQ or TPA – generously offered by Dolphin Transportation. 

Originally created by the U.S. Travel Association, National Travel & Tourism Week is celebrated annually in May across the United States to highlight travel’s role in driving economic growth and strengthening communities. Regionally, tourism remains the top industry in both Sarasota and Manatee, generating $4 billion and $2 billion respectively in each county. 

About Visit Sarasota County 
Visit Sarasota County (VSC) is the official tourism marketing entity and primary provider of visitor information for Sarasota County where tourism is the top industry. Through programs and partnerships, VSC makes Sarasota County a better place by promoting our community on the world stage. These efforts bring together over 500 partners to keep visitors coming, local businesses open and residents employed all year. VSC is accredited by the Destination Marketing Accreditation Program, a program of the Destination Management Association International (DMAI). To learn more, visit www.visitsarasota.com. 

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Media Contact: 
Hunter Carpenter, Visit Sarasota County 
941-893-0090 (cell) 
[email protected]