AGP Executive Report

Coral Rescue in Florida: Scientists at the University of Miami moved 30 endangered elkhorn coral pieces from ocean nurseries to land-based tanks, fearing 2026 could bring bleaching worse than 2023—an effort tied directly to Florida’s reef health and coastal tourism. Marco Island Shelling Update: New life and new owners are taking over Nautical Life Shelling Tours, keeping the popular guided shelling experience going for visitors. Daytona Beach Dining: Pei Wei Asian Kitchen is preparing a Daytona Beach debut, with details still limited but more fast-casual options on the way. DeLand Indoor Pickleball: A former theater in DeLand has been transformed into RallyWell Pickleball and Wellness Club, adding seven indoor courts plus recovery and food—another year-round activity draw. Aviation & Travel Growth: Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport hit its busiest June ever, with major terminal and parking projects planned. Caribbean Flight Boost: American Airlines will add a second daily nonstop from Miami to Antigua starting Oct. 5, expanding South Florida access to the islands. Weather Watch: Tropical Storm Bertha made landfall in Louisiana and is expected to bring hazardous conditions across the Gulf Coast, with Florida Panhandle impacts possible. Big Event Calendar: Daytona Beach kicks off its 150th anniversary with “Illuminate the Decades” and a drone light show, followed by a Main Street street party. Theme Park Buzz: Universal Orlando permit chatter continues, while Disney’s “Worldbuilders” documentary highlights how movie worlds become park attractions.

Tropical Storm Bertha: Florida braced as Bertha weakened but still threatened tropical-storm-force winds, heavy rain, and dangerous rip currents along the Gulf; warnings shifted west and officials urged coastal residents to stay alert. Back-to-School Savings: Florida’s sales tax holiday is underway through Aug. 20, with parents weighing how much they really save on eligible school supplies, clothing, and tech. Cruise Port Scrutiny: Deputies at Port Canaveral dealt with multiple travelers tied to warrants or alleged violations, underscoring how quickly cruise itineraries can turn into legal detours. Travel Biz & Dining: A historic Miami landmark is getting a new life as Andiamo’s longtime era ends and a new burger-and-shakes concept moves in; meanwhile, DiPasqua Brands is bringing Minnie Bird chicken to Orlando and Tampa. Local Growth: Thompson Thrift celebrated the ribbon cutting for Velara, a 312-unit luxury community in Nocatee’s Ponte Vedra area. Science & Nature: Florida Atlantic researchers found three new stomach bacteria types in pygmy sperm whales from decades of strandings.

Tropical Storm Bertha: Bertha weakened slightly but kept moving west along the northern Gulf Coast toward Louisiana, with tropical storm warnings from Florida’s Panhandle west to Morgan City and watches farther west; forecasters warn of 1–4 inches of rain and possible flash flooding, plus coastal surge risk—so Gulf Coast travelers should expect delays and plan for weather-driven schedule changes. Back-to-School Savings: Florida’s annual back-to-school sales tax holiday is underway through Aug. 20, covering many school supplies (with price caps) and select computers/accessories for noncommercial home use—good news for families planning shopping trips. Global Entry Convenience: U.S. CBP is running Global Entry enrollment events across South Florida in late July and August, including library sites in Deerfield Beach, Pompano Beach, Hollywood and Hallandale Beach, plus Fort Lauderdale’s enrollment center. Space Coast Rail Push: Cocoa secured a $2 million state grant to build an access road for a planned Brightline station near U.S. 1 and SR 528, with a target opening date of 2030 despite fresh financial scrutiny. Tourism Funding Review: Orange County’s Tourist Development Tax task force is back to review more than $3 billion in tourism project requests, including major proposals tied to Orlando’s visitor economy. Local Mobility Rules: Sunny Isles Beach is tightening e-bike rules starting Aug. 16, including a minimum rider age and a sidewalk ban—aimed at protecting pedestrians and visitors.

Tourism Funding Watch: Orange County’s Tourist Development Tax Citizen Advisory Task Force is back after a two-year pause, reviewing about $3B in proposals and advising how to spend part of a $430M reserve—major asks include a new Orange County Convention Center hall, an Eatonville historic tourism district, and a $975M bid to bring MLB to Central Florida. Travel Safety & Disruption: Tropical Storm Bertha formed in the Gulf and is strengthening near Florida’s Panhandle, with tropical storm warnings and coastal flooding concerns for parts of the Gulf Coast. Local Visitor Services: Lee County Clerk & Comptroller Kevin Karnes will host “Passport Saturday” Aug. 1 in Fort Myers to help travelers apply ahead of peak holiday demand. Cruise Industry: Carnival says its private Grand Bahama stop, Celebration Key, hit 2.4M guests in its first year. Family Travel Planning: Florida’s back-to-school sales tax holiday is underway, with shoppers able to save on eligible school supplies and clothing. Food & Health Alert: Taylor Farms recalled certain iceberg lettuce products tied to a cyclospora outbreak, with FDA noting a false positive earlier but continuing the investigation.

Hurricane Watch: Tropical Storm Bertha has formed in the Gulf and is expected to bring tropical storm conditions and flash-flood risk to parts of Florida’s Panhandle and west coast as it crawls west-northwest. Back-to-School Savings: Florida’s month-long back-to-school tax holiday starts Monday, running through Aug. 20, with computers and school supplies tax-free (with key limits). Family Travel Safety: A Central Florida toddler died after an accidental shooting during a family visit; officials say the mother faces culpable negligence charges. Marine Tourism & Conservation: USF-led research maps key Atlantic tarpon feeding grounds—good news for anglers and a reminder that protecting a few hotspots matters. Local Events: Boca Raton Tribune’s latest edition spotlights Brightline and community happenings, while DeBary secured $3 million for stormwater and Alexander Island upgrades aimed at boosting a public destination. Theme Park Buzz: A UK roundup highlights lesser-known theme parks and nearby stay ideas—useful inspiration for Florida visitors planning theme-park getaways.

Florida Back-to-School Tax Holiday: Florida’s month-long sales tax break kicks off July 20 and runs through Aug. 20, letting shoppers skip tax on many school essentials like qualifying clothing/shoes, backpacks and school supplies (with price caps), plus select computers and accessories—good news for families planning summer-to-fall shopping. Tropical Storm Bertha Watch: The Gulf system is forecast to strengthen into Tropical Storm Bertha, with a Tropical Storm Watch for Florida’s Panhandle and nearby Gulf coasts plus rip-current and flooding concerns—worth flagging for beachgoers and travelers. Travel & Hospitality Perks: Hyatt Vacation Club is rolling out “Villa Bites,” a reservation add-on that delivers kid-friendly, ready-to-enjoy meals and snacks to villas for families traveling with young children. Local Dining Milestone: Benny’s on the Beach in Lake Worth Beach marks its 40th anniversary with monthlong specials and a July 24-26 celebration featuring live music and a beach cleanup. Aviation/Travel Growth: Avianca launches year-round nonstop Fort Lauderdale–Barranquilla service, adding another direct South Florida link to the Caribbean region. Business/Leadership: inGroup International completes a planned leadership transition, with Anthony Varvaro taking on additional co-manager responsibilities.

Tourism & Local Governance: Brevard County’s Tourism Development Council will meet Wednesday, July 22 in Viera, with updates on how Tourist Development Tax dollars support and promote travel across the Space Coast. Travel Safety & Weather: A slow-moving Tropical Depression Two in the Gulf has triggered a Tropical Storm Watch for Florida’s Panhandle, with dangerous beach conditions, flooding and rip-current risk building into the week. Public Health: Walmart pulled certain Taylor Farms iceberg lettuce products in 27 states tied to a cyclospora investigation, a reminder for travelers to check recalls before eating out. Airport & Border Enforcement: U.S. Customs seized more than $53,800 in undeclared cash at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, leading to federal money-laundering charges. Road & Construction Impacts: Florida’s Turnpike northbound lanes in Palm Beach County will close nightly (8 p.m.–6 a.m.) for widening work, with detours via Jog Road. Culture & Family Fun: Stuart’s A.C.T. Studio Theatre announced a 12-show 2026-27 season lineup, including “Fools,” “An Inspector Calls,” and “Driving Miss Daisy.” Community & Travel Demand: Pilot opened new EV-friendly travel centers, including one in Ponce de Leon, Florida, adding more 24/7 DC fast charging for road trippers. Sports Tourism: England’s World Cup third-place win over France drew fans to Miami Gardens, adding another big-event crowd to South Florida’s summer travel mix.

Theme Parks & Orlando Travel: Disney World is reportedly preparing to shut down the PeopleMover after 51 years, with speculation pointing to a major Tomorrowland overhaul that could also affect the attraction’s connected ride system. Disney & Safety/Operations: A Disney-area apartment complex near Magic Kingdom remains posted unsafe after a July 5 lightning-linked fire displaced residents, with no clear return timeline yet. Weather & Trip Planning: A tropical depression has formed in the northeastern Gulf, with development odds raised to 80% and heavy rain/local flooding the main Florida threat; tropical storm watches are up for parts of the Panhandle to the Big Bend. Retail & Family Travel: Florida’s back-to-school sales tax holiday runs July 20–Aug. 20, covering qualifying clothing, school supplies, and computers—good news for families traveling for school shopping. Aviation & Bahamas Access: Tradewind Aviation is expanding South Florida-to-Bahamas service with small-aircraft, private-terminal style flights from Stuart and Fort Lauderdale. Consumer Watch: Taylor Farms expanded a voluntary recall of iceberg lettuce shipped to 27 states, including Florida, tied to a cyclospora outbreak. Local Tourism Economy: South Florida’s World Cup run is credited with bringing a surge of visitors and long-term real estate interest tied to soccer stars and the Inter Miami era. Travel Disruption/Legal: CBP seized $53,800 in undeclared cash at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood Airport from a Jamaica-bound traveler, leading to federal money-laundering charges.

World Cup in Miami: England beat France 6-4 in the third-place playoff as Bukayo Saka scored three, including a late penalty, while Kylian Mbappé added two to pass Messi’s World Cup scoring record—another big Florida sports moment right before the final. Tourism Funding in Central Florida: Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings named a Tourist Development Tax Citizen Advisory Task Force to recommend how tourism dollars are spent, with former Mayor Linda Chapin and Lift Orlando’s Eddy Moratin co-chairing. Travel Safety & Health Alerts: Taylor Farms expanded a voluntary iceberg lettuce recall tied to cyclospora to 27 states, including Florida, urging shoppers to check products. Air Cargo Security: U.S. Customs seized $1.5 million in cocaine at a South Florida air cargo warehouse near Miami International Airport. Back-to-School Savings: Florida’s sales tax holiday runs July 20–Aug. 20, covering school supplies, clothing/shoes, and eligible tech. Weather Watch: Hurricane Center is monitoring Invest 91L, with heavy rain possible for Florida as the system develops.

Tropical Watch: The National Hurricane Center is tracking Invest 91L in the Gulf of America, with a low chance of becoming a named storm but the potential for heavy rain across Florida this weekend—Tampa Bay could see 6–8 inches, with the heaviest rain Sunday. Travel Disruption: United Airlines is pushing back on a leaked memo that suggested flyers could avoid the newly renamed Trump airport for free; the airline says changes aren’t allowed based on an airport’s name or code. World Cup in Florida: France and England meet in Miami for the third-place match today, a big draw for traveling fans. Local Airport Governance: A Naples Airport Authority dispute with the City of Naples is tied to a new state law shifting airport board control to elections, with lease talks paused while litigation plays out. Road Safety: Multiple fatal crashes are reported across Central Florida, including a motorcycle-semi collision in Orange County and another deadly crash in Orlando. Summer Deals & Planning: Florida’s back-to-school sales tax holiday starts Monday, plus travelers are being reminded to plan for summer weather and crowds.

Travel Disruption Watch: A Gulf low could bring near-certain heavy rain to Florida’s most-visited areas this weekend, with forecasters warning 3–5 inches possible even if it never becomes Tropical Storm Bertha. Severe Weather on the Coast: A waterspout and damaging storms hit the Treasure Coast, including 3–5 inches of rain in parts of St. Lucie County and strong wind gusts. Air Travel Updates: Orlando International Airport is moving ahead with plans for a U.S. first vertistop for eVTOL demos, while United says a leaked “Trump airport” rebooking idea was “poorly worded” and not accurate. Theme Park & Visitor Notes: Disney World is dealing with another guest death on an iconic ride, and Florida’s back-to-school sales tax holiday starts July 20. Cruise & Port Security: Port Canaveral cruise passengers with warrants were arrested by Brevard County deputies. Local Food: Tallahassee Restaurant Week returns July 17–26 after a 15-year break, with 25+ restaurants participating. South Florida Commuter Rail: Brightline is bringing back multi-ride passes for South Florida commuters.

Tropical Watch: The National Hurricane Center is tracking a low-pressure area in the Gulf that has only a 20% chance of developing over the next week, but it’s already expected to dump heavy rain on central and north Florida—especially Polk County and the Tampa Bay area, with forecasts calling for 6–8 inches near Tampa through the weekend. Airport & Air Travel Buzz: United Airlines is denying a report that passengers can switch airports for free just to avoid the newly renamed President Donald J. Trump International Airport in Palm Beach, saying its policy doesn’t allow name-based fee-free changes (though it may offer options under existing rules). Back-to-School Savings: Florida’s Back to School Sales Tax Holiday runs July 20–Aug. 20, covering select clothing, school supplies, learning aids, and qualifying computers under set price limits. Local Tourism & Jobs: A career fair in Orlando (July 22) is aimed at workers affected by Spirit Airlines’ closure, with hiring across hospitality and tourism plus logistics, transportation, and trades. Theme Parks & Entertainment: Disney World is tightening rules for Orlando locals, while young dancers from South Africa won world titles at Walt Disney World. Safety Reminder: Florida officials are urging caution around lakes and natural waters, highlighting risks from alligators, snakes, and bacteria.

Air Travel & Airports: United Airlines says it will let passengers avoid landing at Palm Beach’s newly renamed “President Donald J. Trump International Airport” by offering free flight changes to Miami or Fort Lauderdale. New Routes: Southwest is adding a Milwaukee-to-Panama City nonstop next spring break, aiming at Florida panhandle demand. Service Changes: JetBlue is pulling nonstop Daytona Beach routes to JFK and Boston starting Sept. 9, just seven months after its return. Tourism & Community: A Florida runner’s “Zero to 100” plan—50K in 50 states in 50 days—will end in Hawaii, with Make-A-Wish as the fundraising focus. Local Travel Safety/Operations: Naples-area homeowners and condos are being targeted by scammers using fake documents tied to property-title “clouds.” Road Trip Reality Check: A new study finds speeding barely saves time but costs drivers more fuel and money—relevant for Florida summer travel. Immigration & Workforce Impact: The impending end of Temporary Protected Status is creating urgent compliance deadlines for restaurant employers, with potential ripple effects for Florida communities.

Travel & Tourism (Florida): Key West leads a new staycation search surge, with domestic travel demand up 34% this summer, and Florida destinations dominating top picks for “disconnect” getaways. Air Travel: JetBlue is ending its JFK–Vero Beach route Sept. 9 after low demand, while also expanding Fort Lauderdale service with a larger schedule. Local Events: Palm Beach County’s Cultural Council launches a free Artist Marketplace series in Lake Worth Beach (50+ vendors, live music) on select Thursdays in July and August. Dining & Hospitality: Miami’s fall restaurant buzz is heating up, with six highly anticipated openings highlighted for foodies. Theme Parks & Family Fun: Universal Orlando accelerates the closure of “Fast & Furious – Supercharged” to next month, and Florida residents get a new unlimited entry deal at Universal parks. Weather Watch: The National Hurricane Center flags two areas for possible tropical development, including a low chance near the northeastern Gulf to off northern Florida. Roads & Safety: A fatal Florida Turnpike crash shut down lanes near Bird Road in Miami-Dade, and a separate I-75 semi jackknife in Pasco left a Lady Lake driver unharmed. Aviation/Space: SpaceX’s Starship test flight is set for today, with potential Florida interest as future missions are discussed.

Daylight Saving Time: The U.S. House passed the Sunshine Protection Act (308-117) to make daylight saving time permanent, sending it to the Senate—an issue that directly affects Florida travelers’ schedules and summer plans. Space Coast Tourism: SpaceX’s Starship is set to launch July 16 from Texas before moving future launches to Florida’s Space Coast, with local coverage highlighting what visitors and residents can expect. Travel Safety & Weather: The National Hurricane Center is watching a low-pressure system in the Gulf with a low chance of tropical development, but heavy rain and flooding risk could disrupt weekend travel across parts of Florida. Road Travel Enforcement: “Operation Southern Slow Down” kicks off July 13-19, with Florida law enforcement joining a multi-state speed crackdown during peak summer travel. Local Attractions: St. Augustine’s Ximenez-Fatio House Museum earned another statewide Best of Florida Awards nomination, adding to the draw for history-focused visitors. Family Travel Caution: A Kissimmee case involving an unsecured gun in a rental home has renewed urgent reminders about firearm safety around children. Entertainment & Economy: A Disney-commissioned study puts Toy Story’s global economic impact at about $51B over three decades, underscoring how Florida’s theme-park audience demand ties into big franchise power.

Cruise Disruption: Royal Caribbean is extending its suspension of calls to Haiti’s Labadee through June 2027, rerouting itineraries from Fort Lauderdale and other ports to places like Nassau, CocoCay and Costa Maya. Travel Planning Tech: A new Deloitte survey finds one in four travelers now use generative AI to plan summer trips—especially for accommodations, destinations, restaurants and itineraries. Florida Flights: Frontier is adding more Florida service (Fort Lauderdale–Denver and Orlando–Kansas City starting in November) with introductory fares from $69, plus Starlink high-speed Wi-Fi rolling out early next year. Road Safety for Visitors: FDOT/FLHSMV and partners are running “Operation Southern Slow Down” through July 18, with extra enforcement aimed at speeding-related crashes. Family Travel Caution: Two separate Florida incidents highlight risks during vacations—an Orlando toddler was fatally shot after finding an unsecured handgun, and deputies investigated fireworks fired from a moving vehicle on I-95. Local Tourism & Community: Orlando Health’s Children’s Neuroscience Institute earned Certified Autism Center™ status, and Redhead Burger opened its third location in Doral.