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Sarasota News Leader May 31, 2013 According to the latest statistics from Visit Sarasota County — provided to the TDC and the County Commission earlier this month — the community also saw tourism growth during the height of the 2013 season. Page 35 May 21, the number of visitors was up 1.9 percent — even though Easter fell in late March. Moreover, she said, "Our European business remains strong." Sarasota County is seeing more visitors from the United Kingdom, she TDT collections were up 5 percent in January pointed out, than the state as a whole is reover the same month in 2012 and 2 percent porting. in February over the same month a year ago. For the fiscal year to date — which began Oct. The number of visitors from January through 1, 2012 — 11,941 United Kingdom residents March increased 5.1 percent and the tourists' have visited the website Visit Sarasota County direct spending for those months was up 9.9 established for them: www.sarasota.org.uk, percent. according to statistics Haley provided in her In April, Virginia Haley, president of Visit Sara- second quarter FY 2013 report to the TDC. sota County, told the County Commission on The goal was 3,000 visits for the year. A chart from the North Carolina tourism office shows how marketing strategies for visitors have changed through the years. Image courtesy Sarasota County