Sunshine Matters

Media Coverage Overview – for the week of July 19 – 22, 2010

VISIT FLORIDA PROACTIVE MEDIA ASSISTS

VISIT FLORIDA’s Communications team continues to work with media to build awareness of Florida’s tourism assets for in-state and out-of-state travel and about 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 week include: the International Travel Writers Alliance e-newsletter, PBS, the Los Angeles Times, Centro Tampa, RV Business magazine, the Tampa Bay Business Journal, CBS Channel 10 – Tampa/St. Pete, the Bradenton Herald, CNNMoney.com, Road Bike magazine and CNN Radio.

VISIT FLORIDA President and CEO, Chris Thompson, was interviewed by WCTV-CBS Tallahassee regarding tourism marketing during the crisis: One Man’s Mission to Sell Florida to the World: http://www.wctv.tv/home/headlines/98469394.html

RECENT BREAKING HEADLINES

Visit Florida tourism ads bump traffic to website,  MiamiHerald.com http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/07/15/1731437/visit-florida-tourism-ads-bump.html  (In this report: Article discusses the increase to traffic on the VISIT FLORIDA website due to its oil spill ads. Article also mentions the free listings available to tourism businesses.)

Oil skips most Florida beaches, but so do many tourists, Los Angeles Times http://articles.latimes.com/2010/jul/21/nation/la-na-oil-spill-florida-tourism-20100721  (In this report: Article discusses that while only 23 miles of Florida’s shoreline are closed to fishing due to the oil spill, there is still a decrease in the number of tourists to the state.)

Their economy booming, Brazilian tourists flock to Florida, Sun Sentinel http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2010-07-21/business/fl-tourism-from-brazil-20100721_1_brazilians-visit-florida-numbers-and-spending  (In this report: Research shows Brazilian travelers rise to third among international visitors to Florida mostly because of the economic boom in their South American nation, the strength of their currency, easier visa approvals and more flights to Florida.)

BP Explains Why They’re Holding Back on Florida Tourism Dollars, WOKV.com http://wokv.com/localnews/2010/07/bp-explains-why-theyre-holding.html (In this report: Article explains why BP won’t fulfill Governor Charlie Crist’s request for $50-million in advertising to boost tourism. BP believes the dollars can be spent through a more strategic and targeted program than with general grants that may be used in areas unaffected by the spill. Chris Thompson’s comments are featured in the story.)

Barack, Michelle, Joe, Jill & All Senior White House Staff: Vacation in the Gulf This Summer!, Huffington Post  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-guttman/barack-michelle-joe-jill_b_647757.html

RECENT BREAKING VIDEO

Cap to remain on well despite seepage, Today Show http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/38322100#38322100

Gulf Oil Leak Stopped, ABCNews.com http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/video/gulf-oil-leak-stopped-waters-87-days-capped-bp-spill-11174987&tab=9482931&section=1206825&playlist=&page=1