Sunshine Matters

I am pleased to announce that VISIT FLORIDA now has more than 10,000 tourism industry business listings on our award-winning consumer website.  This milestone marks the achievement of a strategic objective set out in the Four-Year Marketing Plan released in July 2009 and reinforces VISIT FLORIDA’s position as the trusted source for travel planning to and within the Sunshine State.  Continue reading »

Many new and exciting changes to the Flagler Awards have transpired this year, but the principle remains the same: to recognize outstanding tourism marketing in Florida.  Each year, the Flagler Awards pay tribute to the determined efforts of those who use their skill, resourcefulness, creativity and innovative spirit to market Florida to the world and, in doing so, help ensure the continued success of the state’s most important industry. Continue reading »

VISIT FLORIDA and Visit Pensacola marked the one-year anniversary of the Gulf oil spill by joining together to announce the grand prize winner for the Great VISIT FLORIDA Beach Walk promotion.  The winner, Bridgette Price of Pensacola, was awarded a $5,000 American Express gift card and a Mazda Miata MX-5.  The Beach Walk on Nov. 6, 2010, turned out to be the world’s biggest one-day beach rally and photo fest ever held.

Today on the one-year anniversary, we have an amazing opportunity to close the loop on the oil spill by awarding the Beach Walk prize.  I remain awed by the tremendous outpouring of support we received from our fellow Floridians who wanted to get out and show the world the beauty of this paradise we all enjoy every day.  Continue reading »

I’m excited to share the following press release with you that was sent out this afternoon by Governor’s Scott’s Press Office:

Governor Rick Scott and Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam today helped VISIT FLORIDA®, the state’s official tourism marketing corporation, announce the launch of their new FishingCapital.com website.  Working with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), VISIT FLORIDA has created the ultimate website for boating and fishing enthusiasts with content to help anglers get the most out of their next Florida fishing trip.  The announcement was made at the Destination Panama City Marina just before Governor Scott and other Cabinet members embarked on a brief fishing trip for the Florida Bass2Billfish television show, sponsored by VISIT FLORIDA.  Continue reading »

Sunshine State visitors have bought untold numbers of souvenirs throughout the years, reflecting the history and culture that is Florida tourism.  Those souvenirs reflect remembrances of great experiences of yesterday and today at our theme parks and roadside attractions.

Tuesday night, VISIT FLORIDA hosted a sneak preview of the new “Remembering Paradise: Souvenirs of Historic Florida Attractions” exhibit at the Florida Historic Capitol Museum in Tallahassee.  The evening reception allowed legislators, Capitol staff and industry executives to be the first to see the extensive one-of-a-kind collection of travel treasures assembled for the 8-month long exhibit.  The items on display range from a rubber alligator from the historic St. Augustine Alligator Farm, to a cowboy tin cup from the old Six-Gun Territory in Ocala, as well as a host of rare memorabilia from Walt Disney World in Orlando and much, much more. Continue reading »