Sunshine Matters

Media Coverage Overview – July 1, 2010

KEY TOPICS

During the last 24 hours, traditional print and online media coverage have reported that travel is expected to be up statewide during the Fourth of July holiday weekend. Other reports focus on how individual communities and destinations are responding to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Overall, coverage continues to report on the oil spill and its impact on Florida’s beaches and tourism industry.

VISIT FLORIDA PROACTIVE MEDIA ASSISTS

VISIT FLORIDA’s Communications team worked with media to build awareness of Florida Live (at VISITFLORIDA.com) as a consumer resource tool in aiding potential visitors to make informed decisions about their travel plans based on accurate information versus speculation and rumors on beach conditions. Significant media assisted during the last 24 hours include the Associated Press, Wall Street Journal, Miami Herald and New York Daily News.

RECENT BREAKING HEADLINES

Satellite Beach fire chief helps with Gulf Spill/Video , Florida Today http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20100630/NEWS01/6300333/1006/Satellite-Beach-fire-chief-helps-with-Gulf-spill-VIDEO

RECENT BREAKING HEADLINES

Fourth of July travelers find Florida hotels holding prices, MiamiHerald.com http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/06/30/1707732/fourth-of-july-travelers-find.html (In this report: Despite the oil spill, in addition to a still-soft economy, travel is expected to be up statewide. Many hotels have opted to hold their summer prices the best they can by offering off-season deals like a free night stay or a spa credit rather than lower rates.)

US Labor Department provides $27 million to help workers displaced by oil spill in Gulf of Mexico, Sacbee http://www.sacbee.com/2010/06/30/2860230/us-labor-department-provides-27.html  (In this report: The U.S. Department of Labor announced a total of $27 million in National Emergency Grant awards to the four Gulf Coast states who have been displaced as a result of the ongoing Deepwater Horizon oil spill.)

Pinellas Beaches Fighting ‘Perception War’ Against Oil Spill, WUSF 89.7 News http://www.wusf.usf.edu/news/2010/06/29/pinellas_beaches_fighting_%E2%80%98perception_war%E2%80%99_against_oil_spill