Sunshine Matters

Below please find a press release that VISIT FLORIDA sent to the media this afternoon after Governor Scott unveiled his proposed 2013-2014 budget.

Governor Scott Recommends Increased Funding for VISIT FLORIDA

2013-2014 Proposed Budget Allocates $75 Million for Tourism Marketing Efforts

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (January 31, 2013) – Today, Governor Scott announced his proposed budget for 2013-2014. The Governor recommended that VISIT FLORIDA receive $75 million in public funding to support statewide tourism marketing efforts for the coming year. The recommendation represents a 39 percent increase over last year’s allocation. Continue reading »

Results from Investing in Tourism: The Economic Impact of Expanding Florida Tourism, a Florida TaxWatch study released today, indicate that the Florida tourism industry reaching the milestone of 100 million annual visitors would create 121,298 jobs, and increase overall personal income for Floridians by $5.3 billion. Continue reading »

This week marks the start of VISIT FLORIDA’s year-long commemoration to honor the 500th anniversary of Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon’s arrival on Florida’s sunny shores.  His discovery in 1513 paved the way for 500 years of exploring the Sunshine State by billions of visitors from all around the world. Continue reading »

Recently, the U.S. Travel Association shared the results of a new report measuring the impact and value of travel jobs.  Fast Forward: Travel Creates Opportunities and Launches Careers details our industry’s benefit to the American workforce using analysis of more than three decades of employment data collected by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Continue reading »

VISIT FLORIDA’s unique public-private partnership model is successful because of the industry’s active involvement in the development and implementation of all our marketing efforts. This week, 177 Florida tourism industry leaders met at the annual VISIT FLORIDA Marketing Retreat to help create “The Road Ahead” for our 2013-2014 Marketing Plan.  The two-day event included participation from members of VISIT FLORIDA’s Board of Directors and Marketing Committees, as well as key staff and agency partners. Continue reading »