Sunshine Matters

Last night, during the annual Florida Governor’s Conference on Tourism at the Hilton Orlando, VISIT FLORIDA announced the 2016 Florida Tourism Hall of Fame inductees, as well as the winners of the Flagler Awards, Iris D. Larson Awards and Film Florida Legends Tourism Ambassador Award.  Annually, leaders in Florida tourism are chosen by a selection committee to receive these prestigious honors and awards. Continue reading »

During a press conference at the Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Myers this afternoon, Governor Rick Scott announced that Florida set another record in tourism by welcoming the highest amount of visitors of any six months in the state’s history with 57.4 million visitors.  This record amount of out-of-state and international visitors represents a 4.3 percent increase over the previous year.  In the second quarter of 2016 (April -June), 27.3 million visitors came to the state, an increase of 3.1 percent over the same period in 2015.  The average number of direct travel-related jobs in quarter two of 2016 was also a record high, with 1,255,200 Floridians employed in the tourism industry – up 4.3 percent year over year. Continue reading »

Last week, Florida’s tourism industry participated in the 2016 Destination Marketing Association International (DMAI) Annual Convention in Minneapolis.  As the premier event for destination marketing and management professionals, DMAI’s 2016 Annual Convention featured educational tracks focused on leadership, marketing, sports, convention sales and more, moderated by dynamic thought leaders from inside and outside the industry. Continue reading »

I am pleased to announce that Terry Prather, former President of SeaWorld Orlando, has been appointed to serve as the Executive Director of the Florida Council of Tourism Leaders.  The Council, which is comprised of the former chairs of VISIT FLORIDA’s Board of Directors, creates a strong network of industry experts that may be called on by the Board, the Chair or the President for their expertise and experience.  Collectively, these professionals bring to bear more than two hundred years of institutional knowledge on the Florida tourism and hospitality industry. Continue reading »

These are unprecedented times.  Few of us have ever experienced anything approaching this situation before.  The outpouring of assistance and support for the victims, their family and friends and the Orlando community has been heartwarming and inspirational. Continue reading »