Visit Sarasota County has launched a new campaign called “Fun in the 941: The Local Bite,” aiming to encourage both residents and visitors to support local restaurants. The initiative runs from October 20 to December 20, offering a variety of dining promotions such as happy hours, seasonal menus, chef’s specials, prix fixe experiences, and limited-time offers. These deals are highlighted on Funinthe941.com and through Visit Sarasota County’s social media channels.
The tourism bureau is also organizing a regional influencer campaign and other digital and in-person promotions throughout the holiday season to further boost participation.
“While local restaurants have long taken part in our Fun in the 941 deals program, we’re hoping to create not just a moment but an occasion for people to dine out, dine often, and dine locally,” said Erin Duggan, President and CEO at Visit Sarasota County. “This campaign was inspired by feedback we’ve been hearing from our dining partners, and we wanted to be responsive. The holiday season couldn’t be a better time to drive interest and appetites, from trick-or-treating to tree lighting and all the shopping sprees in between.”
The current effort builds on the success of Savor Sarasota, an annual restaurant week organized by Visit Sarasota County. In June, Savor Sarasota marked its 20th anniversary with more than 60 participating restaurants generating $1.2 million in revenue during what is typically a slow tourism period.
Residents are encouraged to share their dining experiences on Instagram using #SavorThe941 and tagging @VisitSarasotaCounty. Restaurants interested in joining the campaign can contact partnership@visitsarasota.org.
For more information or to find participating restaurants, visit www.funinthe941.com.
Visit Sarasota County serves as the official tourism marketing organization for Sarasota County. It works with over 450 partners to promote tourism—the region’s leading industry—and provides visitor information year-round. The organization is accredited by the Destination Marketing Accreditation Program from Destination Management Association International (DMAI). More details are available at www.visitsarasota.com.
