Sunshine Matters

The VISIT FLORIDA Public Relations team and participating industry Partners kicked off the 2012-13 media missions program in Birmingham and Atlanta the week of Nov. 12. Laura Cassels and Kati Schardl, VISIT FLORIDA Public Relations Representatives, were joined by CVB Partners from Seminole County, Visit Gainesville, Visit Jacksonville and Visit Pensacola on nine desk-side appointments between the two cities.  During the meetings with journalists, travel editors and bloggers, industry Partners pitched the latest news and stories from each of their destinations.  VISIT FLORIDA also shared current updates on Viva Florida 500. Continue reading »

According to preliminary estimates* we released today 21.9 million visitors came to Florida in the third quarter of 2012 (July-September), an increase of 3.5 percent over the same period in 2011.  Direct travel-related employment in Florida also rose 1.5 percent over third quarter 2011 to 1,020,200, an addition of 15,000 jobs since this time last year. Continue reading »

Last week, VISIT FLORIDA and a contingent of our Florida tourism industry Partners attended World Travel Market at the ExCel Centre in London.  This four-day, business-to-business exhibition, which is the second largest tradeshow in the world, provides a unique opportunity for the worldwide travel and tourism industry to meet, network, negotiate and conduct business.  While total numbers are still being finalized, the show reported that through its first three days attendee numbers increased by 4% over the same time period last year. Continue reading »

Today, I’m pleased to announce that VISIT FLORIDA and the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association have teamed up with two of the state’s top brands – the Florida Gators and Florida State Seminoles – to harness the passion associated with the annual football rivalry game and direct it toward the promotion of travel throughout Florida. Continue reading »

VISIT FLORIDA’s Public Relations team has been busy this week reaching out to military journalists and bloggers to share information on Florida’s rich military history, as well as great travel deals and special events available for military members and their families in the Sunshine State over the Veterans Day weekend. VISIT FLORIDA Partners from around the state provided us with details on nearly 40 special events and offers happening in 17 Florida cities over the next week that we aggregated into a single digital press release. Continue reading »