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Tourism Puts a Bounce Ba
by Aaron
Florida depends on visitors staying in hotels , eating at restaurants and exploring the many wonders the Sunshine State has to offer . When the Covid-19 pandemic effectively shut down travel , the tourism industry braced for its biggest challenge ever .
Once-bustling resorts were suddenly empty . Tourismdependent businesses along Florida ’ s beaches and in other vacation spots either shut down temporarily , adapted to the pandemic or closed for good , while theme parks and attractions put operations on hold .
While all industries took a hit from Covid-19 , none suffered more than tourism .
As the world emerges – tentatively and with some fits and starts – into a post-pandemic era , the outlook for tourism development , and the economy in general , is considerably brighter .
Still , most tourism industry officials agree that there is more work to be done .
“ The tourism / hospitality sector is still suffering from effects caused by the Covid-19 pandemic ,” said Dana Cameron Jones , President of the Putnam County Chamber of Commerce . “ Most of the challenges today are pandemic-related , i . e ., people are not traveling as much , events are slow to restart due to uncertainty , and a lack of employees ready to return to work .”
The shortage of employees is being felt in tourist destinations across the North Florida region , said Flagler County Tourism Development Director Amy Lukasik .
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