Sunshine Matters

While the rest of the world is speeding up, aging U.S. transportation infrastructure is slowing America down.  Everyone agrees on the problem, but solutions are scarce.  This week, I’ve joined transportation visionaries and other travel industry leaders at the Connecting America Through Travel conference for an important dialogue about how to revitalize America’s travel infrastructure. Continue reading »

Congratulations to Carol Dover, member of the VISIT FLORIDA Board of Directors and President & CEO of the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association, for winning the first-ever Dick Pope Legacy Award at the 2013 Grand Tour Gala.  The Grand Tour Gala Foundation created the new Dick Pope Legacy Awards to recognize leaders that have strengthened the sustainability of Florida’s hospitality and tourism industries.  In addition to being presented each year at the Grand Tour Gala, the award recipients will be immortalized on the walls of the Orange County Convention Center. Continue reading »

Today during a press conference at Busch Gardens Tampa, Governor Scott announced that according to VISIT FLORIDA’s preliminary estimates* 22.9 million visitors came to Florida in the third quarter of 2013 (July-September), an increase of 1.7 percent over the same period in 2012.  These numbers represent the largest third quarter for visitation in the state’s history.  Continue reading »

During the Cruise Lines International Association’s Leadership Forum, held yesterday at the InterContinental Hotel in Miami, Assistant Secretary Rich Biter with the Florida Department of Transportation released a new report offering a statewide perspective on the Florida cruise industry.  The presentation focused on the importance of the cruise industry to the present and future economic prosperity of Florida, as well as on the policy changes and updates that will ensure Florida maintains and expands on its status as the dominant player in this industry nationwide. Continue reading »

On behalf of Governor Scott, Enterprise Florida is issuing a call for nominations for the 2013 Governor’s Innovators in Business Awards which recognize Florida companies for their outstanding contributions to the state’s economic growth. Along with the four existing categories, they have now added a Governor’s Innovation in Tourism Hospitality Award.  With the deadline of Nov. 15 fast approaching, I invite my colleagues in the Florida tourism industry to apply today. Continue reading »