Sunshine Matters

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.

This year’s Cruise360, the industry’s largest and only official cruise-focused conference and trade show, attracted more than 2,000 industry professionals.  Part of the six-day event included the Cruise360 Marketplace, where VISIT FLORIDA hosted a highly-popular booth where agents were treated to a 5-minute massage.

In addition to participating in the Marketplace, we co-sponsored a travel agent reception and dinner with Visit St. Petersburg/Clearwater at the breathtaking Chihuly Garden and Glass in Seattle, WA.  All agents received a bag of Florida promotional items and brochures, with several lucky agents winning St. Petersburg/Clearwater hotel stays and a set of Alaskan Airline tickets to the Sunshine State.

We are delighted with the announcement that Cruise360 will be returning to Florida in 2017, being held in Fort Lauderdale on April 18-24, where we expect an even bigger turnout.  One-on-one time with travel agents and tours operators at events like this one have a significant impact on Florida tourism.  To learn more about our upcoming travel trade events, check out the VISIT FLORIDA Marketing Planner or contact me at bbryant@visitflorida.org.