Sunshine Matters

I am pleased to announce the roll out of VISIT FLORIDA’s Certified Tourism Information Centers (CTIC) Program.  CTIC certification brings VISIT FLORIDA recognition to welcome center facilities around the state, providing the institutions and their staff with benefits that enable successful promotion of travel to and throughout Florida.

The program is designed to create a network of Florida welcome centers that will share promotional ideas and best business practices in order to enhance visitors’ experience. VISIT FLORIDA is not looking to franchise welcome centers.  Rather, the CTIC program is focused on presenting a consistent Florida message and a quality Florida experience for all visitors to the Sunshine State.

To date, 13 Florida welcome centers have joined the program to become official Florida Certified Tourism Information Centers:

• Emerald Coast CVB Welcome Center
• Wakulla County TDC Welcome Center
• Amelia Island CVB Welcome Center
• Daytona Beach Welcome Center
• Sanibel-Captiva Islands Chamber Welcome Center
• Edison & Ford Winter Estates Welcome Center
• Lee County VCB Welcome Center
• Cocoa Beach Regional Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau Welcome Center
• Visit Central Florida Welcome Center
• Florida’s Space Coast Welcome Center
• Visit Pensacola Welcome Center
• Visit South Walton Welcome Center
• Panama City Beach CVB Welcome Center

To become an official Florida CTIC, welcome centers must meet requirements specified by VISIT FLORIDA, such as being a VISIT FLORIDA Partner, being open year-round at a minimum of five days per week, being in a convenient and accessible location for the ease of travelers, and having access to parking and restroom facilities to accommodate visitors including persons with disabilities.

All Florida CTICs receive additional benefits from the program, including a free 4″ x 9″ brochure display at all VISIT FLORIDA Welcome Centers, copies of the VISIT FLORIDA magazine and Official Florida Transportation Maps, CTIC certification signage, and access to a statewide network with other tourism professionals.  In addition, Statewide Information Specialist Certification is being offered to all employees at a Florida CTIC.

Click here to read an article from the News-Press about the program.  For more information on becoming a Certified Tourism Information Center through VISIT FLORIDA’s CTIC program, please visit our Marketing Planner or contact me at ddodd@VISITFLORIDA.org.