Sunshine Matters

Happy Holidays!  As we wrap up what is likely to be a third consecutive record year for the Florida tourism industry, I would especially like to thank those who serve on VISIT FLORIDA’s Board of Directors and our various committees for their passionate leadership.  The strength of our organization and the success of our marketing initiatives are directly correlated to the active and engaged participation of our industry Partners.  Nowhere was that more apparent than earlier this month when over 175 industry leaders participated in the VISIT FLORIDA Marketing Retreat to help set the course for 2014 and beyond. Continue reading »

I’m proud to share that our recently revamped consumer website  has been named one of the 20 best designed tourism websites in the world by Skift.com.   Skift, a travel intelligence startup that offers news, data, and tools to the travel industry, says they searched through hundreds of tourism websites for countries, states, and cities to produce this list of the 20 best designed sites.   Samantha Shankman, a reporter with Skift, explained that for VISITFLORIDA.com and the other sites on the list “their design sense is right on and should be an example to destinations still stuck in the era of online brochures.” Continue reading »

The U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board recently released the four recommendations they made to Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker as priority issues for our industry to be examined over the next three years.  Their recommendations fell into four key buckets:  improving the visa and entry process, substantial investment in transportation infrastructure, reauthorization of Brand USA and expansion of public/private partnerships modeled after the relationship between the TTAB and Commerce Department. Continue reading »

I am proud to share that Florida was voted “Best Americas Destination” at the 22nd Irish Travel Trade Awards, organized by the Irish Travel Trade News.  The ITTN awards, which are given out in 25 categories, were held last Wednesday at the Doubletree Hilton in Dublin.  The event honors excellence in product and service as voted by Irish travel agents from Northern and Southern Ireland. Continue reading »

VISIT FLORIDA was just recognized as one of the top 50 marketing teams in all of travel by Skift, a leading travel news and information company.  While my name and picture were used, this award is clearly a result of the collective efforts of the whole VISIT FLORIDA family.  I am incredibly proud of this amazing honor acknowledging the great work by our entire team. Continue reading »