Sunshine Matters

In the first 6 months of 2015, the Florida tourism industry welcomed over 54 million visitors to the Sunshine State, putting us on pace to surpass Governor Scott’s goal of 100 million visitors and on target for a fifth consecutive record year.  Given these figures, one might assume that we would continue to employ the same strategies that have worked well for the last five years.  However, I am proud to share that VISIT FLORIDA will not be resting on our laurels. Continue reading »

Last night, during the annual Florida Governor’s Conference on Tourism at the Tampa Convention Center, VISIT FLORIDA announced the 2015 Florida Tourism Hall of Fame inductee, as well as the winners of the Flagler Awards, Iris 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 »

This week in Portland, the U.S. Travel Association held its annual Educational Seminar for Tourism Organizations (ESTO) conference.  During the event, the winners of the National Council of State Tourism Directors (NCSTD) 2015 Mercury Awards were announced.  I am very proud to share that VISIT FLORIDA won Mercuries in two categories – the Social Media Campaign category for “Bragging Season” and the Branding and Integrated Marketing Campaign category for our “Florida Beach Finder.” Continue reading »

I am pleased to share that today Governor Rick Scott announced during a press conference at the Miami International Airport that Florida has set another record in tourism by welcoming the highest amount of visitors of any six months in the state’s history with 54.1 million visitors.  This record amount of visitors represents a 5.8 increase over the same period last year.  In the second quarter of 2015 (April-June), 25.8 million visitors came to the state, an increase of 5.5 percent over the year.  The average number of direct travel-related jobs in quarter two of 2015 was also a record high, with 1,213,500 Floridians employed in the tourism industry – up 4.9 percent over the year. Continue reading »

In honor of the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, the Florida Department of State and VISIT FLORIDA celebrated Victory Florida Week last week.  Victory Florida honors the heroes and heroines of World War II while educating Floridians about the important role Florida played in training for the battlefield and on the home front during the war. Continue reading »