Virginia J. Haley, former Visit Sarasota County president who oversaw a sevenfold increase in the county's tourism tax revenue over 24 years, has been inducted into Destinations International's Hall of Fame.

The honor was presented at the organization's 2026 Annual Convention in Portland, Oregon, where nearly 2,000 tourism leaders gathered for an awards ceremony, according to the Sun. Destinations International, which represents more than 800 destinations worldwide, has recognized more than 50 pioneers through its Hall of Fame since creating the award in 2014.

The numbers back it up. When Haley started at Visit Sarasota County, the Tourist Development Tax generated $5.4 million a year. By the time she retired in September 2023, that figure had reached $40 million. Since her departure, TDT collections reached $48.4 million in fiscal year 2024, down slightly from a peak of nearly $50 million in fiscal year 2023, according to the Sarasota County Tax Collector's annual report. The bed tax is a 6% charge on short-term rental revenue that funds tourism promotion, beach renourishment, the arts, the sports stadium and the Suncoast Aquatic Nature Center.

Beyond revenue growth, Haley spearheaded Visit Sarasota County's effort to earn international accreditation and went on to chair Destinations International's global Destination Management Accreditation Program. She also chaired Destinations Florida and the Visit Florida Board of Directors. Her work extended into community projects, including a pivotal role in The Bay, Sarasota's waterfront park redevelopment.

Erin Duggan, Haley's successor as president and CEO of Visit Sarasota County, said few people leave a mark on an industry the way Haley has, calling the honor "well earned" and crediting Haley as both a leader and a mentor whose impact extends beyond the years she served.

In March 2022, while advocating before the Tourist Development Council for a tax rate increase, Haley framed the investment in terms residents would feel: "We think it bears great opportunities for tourism in the years to come in providing future facilities and capital projects that benefit tourism, and will be used by the local public," she told the council, according to the Herald-Tribune.

As we reported July 26, Visit Sarasota County named its own local hospitality awards program the "Haley Hall of Fame Awards" in her honor. Nominations for the 2026 awards are open through Aug. 28, with the ceremony set for Nov. 19 at the Art Ovation Hotel in downtown Sarasota.