Sunshine Matters

VISIT FLORIDA’s signature event, the annual Florida Governor’s Conference on Tourism, is quickly approaching September 7-9 at the Hilton Orlando.  Register now to attend the industry’s premier educational conference.  Get inspired, engaged and energized by some of the industry’s top thinkers and receive business insights that lead to big ideas.  Below is a sampling of this year’s keynote speakers.  Click here to see the current list, with more speakers being added regularly. Continue reading »

The travel trade market, including travel agents, tour operators and other buyers and sellers of travel products, is a vital distribution network for Florida’s tourism industry.  Research shows that nearly five percent of domestic visitors to Florida use a travel agent to book accommodations and seven percent use a travel agent to reserve their air transportation.  To stay top of mind with travel trade representatives who book pre and post stays to our cruise destinations, VISIT FLORIDA recently exhibited at the Cruise Line International Association’s Cruise360 in Vancouver, B.C. Continue reading »

VISIT FLORIDA is introducing a brand new signature event, Florida Huddle Mexico.  The inaugural event will be held at the Camino Real Polanco in Mexico City on October 9-11, 2016.  Florida Huddle Mexico will be a contracting cornerstone for Mexico-based tour operators and wholesalers.  Every region of Florida will be there, under one roof, with destinations, attractions and properties prepared to network and conduct business. Continue reading »

These are unprecedented times.  Few of us have ever experienced anything approaching this situation before.  The outpouring of assistance and support for the victims, their family and friends and the Orlando community has been heartwarming and inspirational. Continue reading »

With today’s announcement by Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker of the new Travel and Tourism Advisory Board members for the coming year, Florida’s tourism industry continues to be well represented at the national level.  Congratulations to John Sprouls, CEO & EVP of Universal Parks and Resorts in Orlando, who was named Chair.  Other members from Florida include George Aguel, President & CEO of Visit Orlando; Olga Ramudo, President & CEO of Express Travel of Miami and William D. Talbert, III, CDME, President & CEO of the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau.  The tourism and travel advisory board serves as the leadership council for the International Trade Association, whose mission is to help strengthen the competitiveness of U.S. industry. Continue reading »