Sunshine Matters

In response to continuous media reports from this past summer’s Deepwater Horizon oil spill, VISIT FLORIDA is working to inform travelers that Florida is open for business and our seafood is delicious.  Seafood is one of the state’s great treasures and, unfortunately, misinformation in the marketplace has had a negative impact on Florida’s seafood industry.

VISIT FLORIDA has established a partnership with the Florida House on Capitol Hill, Florida Department of Agriculture, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and Florida Department of Citrus to celebrate Florida’s seafood in our nation’s capital.  Taking place November 17, the Florida Seafood Celebration is designed to celebrate and promote Florida’s famously diverse and delicious range of seafood.  This evening event will be held at Florida House in Washington, D.C. and attended by members of Florida’s congressional delegation, state leaders and other dignitaries.   Continue reading »

We are very proud to unveil our newly revamped website for the Partnership for Florida’s Tourism.  It was designed by the same talented individual who created the Sunshine Matters blog.  Continue reading »

VISIT FLORIDA President and CEO Chris Thompson recently attended a two-day summit in Orlando where U.S. and Chinese tourism officials explored opportunities for growing travel between the two countries.  Tourism officials from 22 other states and 30 Chinese provinces were also in attendance, including the chairman of the China National Tourism Administration, Shao Qiwei and U.S. Travel Association President and CEO, Roger Dow.  The event provided the chance to participate in discussions on strategies for promoting and stimulating travel between China and the U.S., travel trends in the U.S.-China market, attendance at the Shanghai World Expo 2010 and shared travel challenges such as the H1N1 flu.  Continue reading »

On October 29, VISIT FLORIDA President and CEO Chris Thompson and Dale Brill, Director of the Governor’s Office on Tourism, Trade and Economic Development made a “State of the Florida Tourism” report to the Florida Congressional Delegation in Washington, D.C.  The report focused on recent visitation numbers and marketing trends.  This meeting also served as an opportunity to present ideas our congressional delegation might consider, including support of national tourism efforts.  Those issues include the Travel Promotion Act, Visa Waiver Program, the Meetings Mean Business initiative and crisis planning for H1N1. Continue reading »

In conjunction with the U.S. Travel Association’s annual Travel Leadership Summit in Washington D.C., VISIT FLORIDA partnered with the California Travel & Tourism Commission to host the “Golden State Meets Sunshine State” Congressional Reception. The event was held Tuesday, September 15, 2009 at The Terrace above Charlie Palmer Steak Restaurant, just a few blocks away from the Nation’s Capitol. Continue reading »