Sunshine Matters

I am pleased to announce that VISIT FLORIDA was named the 2012 State Tourism Office of the Year during last night’s Southeast Tourism Society Shining Example Awards banquet.  The awards ceremony was part of the Southeast Tourism Society Fall Forum being held Oct. 31-Nov.2 at The Founders Inn & Spa in Virginia Beach, VA. Continue reading »

According to preliminary estimates* we released today, 22.1 million visitors came to Florida in the second quarter of 2012 (April-June), an increase of 1.3 percent over the same period in 2011.  Direct travel-related employment in Florida also rose 1.1 percent to 1,041,900, adding 11,300 jobs since this time one year ago and representing the largest employment total since first quarter 2008. Continue reading »

During last week’s economic development mission to the U.K., Governor Rick Scott and VISIT FLORIDA co-hosted a summer luncheon barbecue for 60 key in-country travel trade and media executives.  The event, held at Sir Richard Branson’s spectacular Kensington Roof Gardens in central London, was also attended by many of VISIT FLORIDA’s partners based in the U.K.  We were thanked numerous times for “bringing the sunshine,” as our outdoor function marked the first time Brits had seen nice weather in over three weeks. Continue reading »

I am pleased to announce that today VISIT FLORIDA and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Florida Park Service launched the State Parks component of the Share a Little Sunshine campaign.  The new campaign encourages Florida residents to invite friends and family to experience…the Real Florida by visiting its 160 state parks and historic sites and 11 state trails. Continue reading »

I’m pleased to share that today VISIT FLORIDA announced the lineup of speakers and special events for our 45^th Annual Florida Governor’s Conference on Tourism being held September 5-7, 2012 at the Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld.  For more than four decades, this event has been recognized as the premier educational conference for the Florida tourism industry, providing the opportunity for participants to learn the latest in marketing strategies, receive critical industry research data and share best practices. Continue reading »