Visit Sarasota County Names John and Amanda Horne the 2025 Voice of Sarasota

From oysters to accolades, John and Amanda Horne of Oysters Rock Hospitality have served up excellence in the Sarasota-Bradenton region for decades – and now, they’re being recognized with Visit Sarasota County’s top honor. At the National Travel & Tourism Week Celebration on May 6, Visit Sarasota County Board of Directors will recognize the Hornes as the 2025 Voice of Sarasota – a recognition presented to those whose exceptional efforts have significantly promoted and enhanced Sarasota County as a tourism destination.

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“It’s a privilege to present this year’s Voice of Sarasota award to two leaders who embody the heart of hospitality in our community,” said Richard Russell, General Director of the Sarasota Opera and Board Chair of Visit Sarasota County. “John and Amanda’s exceptional commitment to enriching the visitor and resident experience along Florida’s West Coast makes it fitting that we present this award to them at a two-county collaborative event that is taking place along the county line.”

Although the Hornes have long championed the entire Sarasota-Bradenton region, in recent years they've made significant investments farther south. In 2022, Oysters Rock Hospitality purchased Café L’Europe and has sustained the 52-year-old St. Armands staple through several tumultuous hurricanes and overseen its revival as the Café on St. Armands. In March 2024, the Hornes also brought Anna Maria Oyster Bar to North Port, its first location in Sarasota County. 

John and Amanda have devoted years to the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association, holding statewide leadership roles to champion the hospitality industry. After Hurricanes Helene and Milton, the Hornes brought together business leaders, government officials, and residents to help facilitate immediate and long-term recovery needs for St. Armands. Circle. Their Dive into Reading program has earned national recognition for boosting literacy in Manatee, Sarasota, and DeSoto counties. In addition to their own philanthropic work, they’ve supported organizations like the PACE Center for Girls, the Suncoast Campaign for Grade-Level Reading, and the Manatee Chamber of Commerce.

The Hornes will join the ranks of past Voice of Sarasota award recipients which most recently have included Jennifer Rominiecki (2024), Michael Klauber (2023) and Fredrick J. Piccolo (2022).

Originally created by the U.S. Travel Association, National Travel & Tourism Week is celebrated annually in May across the United States to highlight travel’s role in driving economic growth and strengthening communities. This year’s celebration will be held at the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport on Tuesday, May 6 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. in partnership with the Bradenton Area Convention & Visitors Bureau and SRQ Airport. Tickets are on sale now for $25.00 at https://bit.ly/nttw2025.

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