Returning guest Oliver Kugler of Visit St. Pete Clearwater delivers an energetic rundown of a destination firing on all cylinders. Record bed tax collections are rolling in — January and February 2026 are in the books and March looks like the best ever — powered by short-term rentals and hotels coming back online after the fall 2024 storms (though he notes some south-county properties are still recovering). The event calendar is a headliner: Red Bull Cliff Diving arrives at the St. Pete Pier in June (a 90-foot scaffold over a dredged Vinoy Basin), and The Ocean Race makes St. Pete Clearwater its North American stop in May 2027 — a 12-day international sailing event promising major global exposure.

Oliver also unveils a new brand campaign, "Beach. Culture." — an evolution beyond "Home to America's Best Beaches" that leans into the destination's cultural depth: the Dalí Museum, an incoming 2026 Michelin guide, 600+ murals, food and beverage, music, and pro sports from spring training to the Tampa Bay Rowdies. He rounds it out with the community and economic case for tourism (Pinellas County's number-one economic driver, saving the average household roughly $1,730 a year), plus the ease of a car-free visit via the Grouper shuttle, Jolly Trolley, PSTA, and Sun Runner.

In This Episode:

• 00:06 - Introduction to Aqua Talks
• 01:10 - Exciting Developments at Visit St. Pete Clearwater
• 06:23 - Exploring the Cultural and Culinary Landscape of St. Pete Clearwater
• 12:23 - Exploring Local Events and Attractions
• 17:27 - Exploring the St. Pete Clearwater Area

Key Takeaways:

• Record bed tax, recovery complete. Jan/Feb 2026 set records and March is tracking as the best ever, driven by short-term rentals and hotels returning to inventory after the 2024 storms — though some south-county properties are still healing.
• Marquee events put the area on the international map. Red Bull Cliff Diving at the St. Pete Pier (June 5–6, 90-foot scaffold, Vinoy Basin dredged for safety) and The Ocean Race as the North American stop in May 2027 (12-day international sailing event).
• New campaign: "Beach. Culture." An evolution of "Home to America's Best Beaches" that adds the cultural layer — museums, food and beverage, music, and visual arts — as a reason to visit.
• Culture credentials. The Dalí Museum, a 2026 Michelin guide reveal, 600+ murals across St. Pete and beyond, and BayCare Sound (a top-rated open-air venue).
• New and renovated properties. Postcard Inn reopening as Luce ('80s California chic), plus major renovations at Serrata Beach Resort and TradeWinds on St. Pete Beach.
• Deep sports bench. Spring training (Blue Jays in Dunedin, Phillies in Clearwater), the Rays back at Tropicana Field, LPGA Annika and other championship golf, and the Tampa Bay Rowdies — the region's oldest pro team.
• Tourism as community benefit. Pinellas County's #1 economic driver, credited with the average household saving ~$1,730/year (no state income tax), with big events also serving locals (Clearwater Jazz Holiday, Country Thunder).
• Car-free and easy. Two international airports, the $8 "Grouper" airport-to-beach shuttle, Jolly Trolley, PSTA, and Sun Runner make exploring simple; Hubbard's Marina (Capt. Dylan Hubbard) is a five-time USA Today #1 charter operation.