Sunshine Matters

Of the estimated 91.5 million visitors (not including residents) who visited Florida last year, 13.9 million were from Canada and overseas markets.  Compared to 2011, overseas travel to Florida increased 10.3% in 2012, and accounted for 11.3% of total visitation to the state.  Given the importance of these overseas travelers, VISIT FLORIDA’s International Team started the 2013-2014 fiscal year coordinating several new signature events and missions that provided our Florida industry Partners with significant added value. Continue reading »

VISIT FLORIDA continued its tradition of success at the 45th annual U.S. Travel Association’s International Pow Wow (IPW) in Las Vegas.  The five-day event had a record attendance of nearly 6,400 delegates from the U.S. and 70 other countries, including  1,300  international and domestic buyers and 500 media.  The 2013 IPW is expected to generate more than $3.5 billion in travel to the U.S. over the next three years. Continue reading »

Last week, VISIT FLORIDA and a contingent of our Florida tourism industry Partners attended World Travel Market at the ExCel Centre in London.  This four-day, business-to-business exhibition, which is the second largest tradeshow in the world, provides a unique opportunity for the worldwide travel and tourism industry to meet, network, negotiate and conduct business.  While total numbers are still being finalized, the show reported that through its first three days attendee numbers increased by 4% over the same time period last year. Continue reading »

VISIT FLORIDA was front and center during the 44th Annual U. S. Travel International Pow Wow held in Los Angeles.   The 5-day event had an estimated attendance of nearly 6,000 travel professionals, including more than 1,200 international and domestic buyers, 500 international and domestic media and 1,100 U.S. supplier companies exhibiting.  The appointment-based program attracted representatives from more than 70 countries who conducted more than 80,000 business appointments expected to generate in excess of $3.5 billion in future travel to the U.S. Continue reading »