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Miami Herald
07-04-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
What's the cost to Florida's economy of Canadian tariffs and canceling spring break?
Miamians love to complain about tourists clogging the roads and jamming the beaches. But lately, we've had to wonder: What if they stopped coming? It's mostly Canadians we're talking about. There are worrying indications that our neighbors to the north, long a staple of South Florida tourism, may be staying away this year in big enough numbers to make a dent in our service-based economy. A recent story by the Miami Herald noted that flights from Quebec to Miami are down 20%, and the drop is more noticeable at the Fort Lauderdale airport, where airlines have reduced planned seat capacity from April all the way through June. The decline in Canadian tourism is being felt by restaurants and small business owners, too. Some Canadians have cited political reasons for not visiting. Roger Quesnel, from Quebec, recently told the Miami Herald that his son-in-law doesn't '...want to come down here and spend money for Trump.' Some businesses cited rising costs to visit Florida along with the political climate as key reasons for the downturn. But political reasons are definitely part of it. And Canadians are making their feelings known with billboards across Florida, including a couple along Interstate 75 near Miramar. One of the billboards, which the Canadian government paid for, tells drivers on the highway that President Trump's newly imposed tariffs amount to a tax 'on hardworking Americans.' Will this really pinch South Florida? Stacy Ritter, president and CEO of Visit Lauderdale, the area's official marketing organization, said 'the region annually receives about 1.1 million Canadian tourists, whose absence could significantly impact the local economy.' A loss of Canadian tourism is problematic for a state and an area that has long depended heavily on the tourism industry. Canadians have long been part of the the traditional Florida 'snow birds' — people who come south and stay during the winter months, then fly back home when spring arrives. We may gripe about their driving habits and how hard it is to get around at the height of the season, but our economy relies on tourists. And don't forget Miami Beach also shooed away a lot of spring breakers in the last couple of years. The Beach's 'break up with spring break' campaign was understandable and needed: In 2023, Miami Beach saw a record number of shootings during spring break. The city commission pushed back, hard, with sky-high parking rates, lane narrowing, license plate readers and anti-spring break video that went viral. It seems to have worked. Spring break weekends were much tamer this year and last. And people are still visiting Miami Beach. As Miami Beach Commissioner Alex Fernandez wrote in an opinion article for the Miami Herald earlier this month, data from the Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority showed hotel occupancy for the week ending March 22 at 85% — a 10.5% increase from two years ago. That's a good sign of a resilient economy but he did also note that some businesses have been impacted by the change, with some restaurants and retailers feeling financial strain from a loss in foot traffic in March. Uber drivers also have lamented a lower number of riders during what is usually a busy spring season. Fernandez said Miami Beach must adapt. He's right. Perhaps it's time to revisit the former Mayor Dan Gelber's live-work-play vision to turn South Beach into a mixed-use cultural district. But adapting — and broadening our economic base — should also be part of a larger conversation about Florida and its future as a tourist destination. Sun and beaches and the outdoors will always attract visitors. Florida is in no real danger when it comes to tourism. Still, we don't know yet how deeply the Trump tariff war will cut into the ability or desire of people to come to the Sunshine State. What would Florida be without all its tourists? Let's hope we don't have to find out. Click here to send the letter.
Associated Press
04-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
Miami Beach Hotels, Restaurants and Attractions are Ready to Welcome and Celebrate the LGBTQ+ Community During Miami Beach Pride 2025 and Rainbow Spring
MIAMI BEACH, Fla., April 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- As one of the most welcoming and supportive cities to the LBGTQ+ community, Miami Beach is a year-round destination that embraces and celebrates love. Miami Beach Pride, runs through April 6, 2025 and will feature enhanced experiences and unforgettable moments filled with parades, performances, and immersive gatherings that honor the LGBTQ+ community. From the iconic Pride Parade along Ocean Drive to lively beach parties and cultural events, Miami Beach Pride draws thousands of visitors from across the globe. Attendees can expect world-class entertainment, art showcases, and special performances that reflect the diverse spirit of Miami Beach. 'Miami Beach is proud to welcome all travelers to the destination to unite and connect during Miami Beach Pride 2025. Our city is home to a collection of hotels, restaurants and experiences that celebrate the LGBTQ+ community all year long,' says Peggy Benua, Chairwoman, Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority (MBVCA). 'We see continuous destination demand and interest from travelers to support our community and LGBTQ+ business owners and our visitors add to the fabric of what makes Miami Beach a marquee example of inclusive travel.' Miami Beach Pride 2025 is part of Rainbow Spring, a season of LGBTQ+ celebrations that runs through June and offers special initiatives, promotions and discounts to help make it even easier for visitors to enjoy exclusive offers and programming tailored to the community and supporters. Travelers can explore activities and offerings at Hotel Gaythering, a boutique property designed with the LGBTQ+ community in mind in a MiMo style building from 1958. Catering exclusively to gay guests who want to experience a local's life in Miami Beach, Hotel Gaythering is homey, chic and located just steps away from Ocean Drive, local restaurants and LGBTQ+ landmarks. For visitors looking to be even closer to the Miami Beach Pride action, Dream South Beach is situated just steps from the festivities overlooking Ocean Drive and a rooftop pool and bar sit at the center of the hotel's stylish experience. Destination explorers can head to Lincoln Road to experience a new major art installation by Facundo Yebne, crafted from resin and made with thousands of multicolored rubber ducks, 'Proud Love' and 'UnityBreak' will be on view through June 30, representing the courage to love openly and celebrate love in all forms. 'Miami Beach Pride and Rainbow Spring brings the spirit of our city to the forefront and we invite travelers to experience the history and impact the LGBTQ+ community has had on Miami Beach. To help visitors during their stay, our EXP Miami Beach Tours App offers a collection of curated LGBTQ+ itineraries, providing recommendations on iconic landmarks to visit and local restaurants and bars to experience,' adds Grisette Marcos, Executive Director, Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority. 'The App can easily be downloaded in the App Store and Google Play, putting the pulse of Miami Beach and expert commentary from the LGBTQ+ community in the palm of travelers' hands.' In addition to LGBTQ+-friendly hotels and experiences, Miami Beach features a thriving culinary scene. From iconic drag brunches to late-night bites, a variety of LGBTQ+-owned restaurants are reflective of the destination's pride and dedication to bringing the community together through food and drink. For more than 30 years, Palace South Beach has been a must-visit establishment on Ocean Drive. Home to the famed drag brunch, it is a hot spot for dining, dancing and playful performances with unmatched energy. Those looking for spice can plan a stop at Jaffa South Beach, the brainchild of 'The Spice Detective,' and proud LGBTQ+ community member, Yaniv Cohen. Located on Espanola Way, the menu is a representation of Cohen's North African and Middle Eastern roots and in-depth knowledge of spices. No visit to Miami Beach during Pride is complete without a stop at Cheese Burger Baby. Stephanie Vitori, also known to locals as 'The Queen of South Beach,' purchased Cheese Burger Baby in 2004, transforming it into a burger destination beloved by celebrities and tourists alike. Diners can take pride in supporting a woman-owned, LGBTQ+ business that makes it a priority to be an equal opportunity workplace with a focus of empowering women in the community of all backgrounds.
Miami Herald
01-04-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Miami Beach's break up with spring break is official. Time to pivot
Two years ago, during spring break of 2023, Miami Beach made national headlines for all the wrong reasons. Shootings, stampedes and lives lost turned our city into a symbol of chaos. But what didn't make headlines were the long-term effects. A tarnished brand. A community of shaken business owners and hospitality workers dealing with the aftermath. The true victims weren't just our residents or visitors — they were the spring breakers themselves, whose vacations were destroyed by the chaos and criminality that swept in. After the 2023 spring break state of emergency, marked by 16 stampedes and 33 shootings since 2012, I publicly committed to changing the narrative. I wanted to 'shut the door on spring break' and pledged to push our government, including myself, to do better for our community. I proposed endorsing curfews, higher parking fees and doubled towing rates in March — not because they were politically popular, but because they were necessary deterrents. I refused to accept another year of chaos to act. And those actions made a difference. We are not the same city we were in 2023 when two people lost their lives on our streets during spring break. In 2024, for the first time in years, Miami Beach experienced a spring break with no shootings, stampedes or deaths. Led by Mayor Steven Meiner, who secured strong support from Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Highway Patrol, arrests dropped. In 2025, our streets continued to be calmer and more controlled. While lane reductions and traffic delays caused by license plate readers and DUI checkpoints were inconvenient — and the increased police presence may have felt overwhelming — these measures led to the recovery of 62 firearms and 588 arrests citywide. According to Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority data, hotel occupancy for the week ending March 22 reached 85% — a 10.5% increase from two years ago. A safer city is a more attractive place to visit. Some may question the intensity of our response, but the alternative was chaos, violence and a city branded by fear. These public safety improvements wouldn't have been possible without strong leadership and collaboration. Commissioner Laura Dominguez ensured our spring break campaign attracted a more respectful crowd. Commissioner Tanya Bhatt engaged with the Black Affairs Advisory Committee and Goodwill Ambassadors to support public safety efforts. Commissioner Kristen Rosen Gonzalez reminded us of economic pressures facing our workforce and hospitality industry. Every perspective on the dais made our approach stronger. But the real credit belongs to the Miami Beach Police Department. While working enhanced shifts, they unveiled the Real Time Intelligence Center — a game-changer in modern policing. We can't ignore that some businesses have borne the brunt of this transition. Sidewalk cafe restrictions, barricades and parking deterrents have impacted foot traffic. For some restaurants and retailers, March — once a cornerstone of their revenue — has become a financial strain. We must now pivot from crisis response to long-term vision. So, where do we go from here? We evolve. We adapt. We build on our progress to restore balance. We kicked off March by hosting the Winter Party Festival, a week-long celebration by the National LGBTQ Task Force that I've proudly championed to remain in Miami Beach, drawing thousands of international visitors. Commissioner Joe Magazine brought Future Proof, a tech and innovation festival, and eMerge Americas welcomed more than 20,000 senior executives, investors and innovators, reaffirming our status as a global hub. Next year, we'll welcome TYR Wodapalooza and HYROX, world-renowned fitness festivals secured by Vice Mayor David Suarez, as another cornerstone to anchor March. To counterbalance our spring break messaging, we are extending the 'Find Your Wave' campaign — promoting Miami Beach as a vibrant, inclusive destination for families, the LGBTQ community and responsible travelers. Cities across the country are watching how we've tackled the spring break dilemma. Miami Beach is proving it can be done with both grit and grace. What happens here reverberates far beyond our borders. This is our moment to lead with vision, be bold and welcoming, and make March a month we celebrate. We no longer brace for March. We proudly embrace it. Alex Fernandez is a Miami Beach commissioner.
