Sunshine Matters

I recently attended the U.S. Travel Industry’s Marketing Outlook Forum, held in Little Rock, Arkansas to learn what the experts see on the tourism horizon.  A recent cover of Business Week proclaimed, “The recession is over–good luck surviving the recovery.”  This was also the consensus at the forum.  Continue reading »

VISIT FLORIDA President and CEO Chris Thompson recently attended a two-day summit in Orlando where U.S. and Chinese tourism officials explored opportunities for growing travel between the two countries.  Tourism officials from 22 other states and 30 Chinese provinces were also in attendance, including the chairman of the China National Tourism Administration, Shao Qiwei and U.S. Travel Association President and CEO, Roger Dow.  The event provided the chance to participate in discussions on strategies for promoting and stimulating travel between China and the U.S., travel trends in the U.S.-China market, attendance at the Shanghai World Expo 2010 and shared travel challenges such as the H1N1 flu.  Continue reading »

CANADA

With Canadian tourists being one of the largest international markets for Florida, VISIT FLORIDA partnered with the Pensacola Convention & Visitors Bureau at the Addison Travel Trade Shows in London, Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto to promote the Sunshine State.  The shows included pre-educational and entertaining seminars followed by a tradeshow, which drew an attendance of 1,129 travel agents over the four days.  Travel agents had an opportunity to learn about what’s new in Florida, as well as pick-up the most current VISIT FLORIDA material.  Continue reading »

VISIT FLORIDA has established a panel of eight Florida “Insiders” to give potential visitors objective inside information on travel in the Sunshine State.  The Insiders, who are contracted independent travel writers, were chosen based on their particular expertise and reputation in their field.  In the mix, you’ll find a travel-writer mom, an avid fisherman and outdoors editor at a major newspaper, and a hang-gliding champion, among others. They all love Florida and share their genuine enthusiasm for specialized topics, such as beaches and adventure, family, boating and fishing, with potential visitors.  Continue reading »

On October 29, VISIT FLORIDA President and CEO Chris Thompson and Dale Brill, Director of the Governor’s Office on Tourism, Trade and Economic Development made a “State of the Florida Tourism” report to the Florida Congressional Delegation in Washington, D.C.  The report focused on recent visitation numbers and marketing trends.  This meeting also served as an opportunity to present ideas our congressional delegation might consider, including support of national tourism efforts.  Those issues include the Travel Promotion Act, Visa Waiver Program, the Meetings Mean Business initiative and crisis planning for H1N1. Continue reading »