Sunshine Matters

Of the estimated 91.5 million visitors (not including residents) who visited Florida last year, 13.9 million were from Canada and overseas markets.  Compared to 2011, overseas travel to Florida increased 10.3% in 2012, and accounted for 11.3% of total visitation to the state.  Given the importance of these overseas travelers, VISIT FLORIDA’s International Team started the 2013-2014 fiscal year coordinating several new signature events and missions that provided our Florida industry Partners with significant added value. Continue reading »

With the recent announcement that the IIFA Awards are coming to Tampa, it seems like a perfect time to share some information on VISIT FLORIDA’s multi-pronged outreach efforts to the Indian market. Continue reading »

VISIT FLORIDA continued its tradition of success at the 45th annual U.S. Travel Association’s International Pow Wow (IPW) in Las Vegas.  The five-day event had a record attendance of nearly 6,400 delegates from the U.S. and 70 other countries, including  1,300  international and domestic buyers and 500 media.  The 2013 IPW is expected to generate more than $3.5 billion in travel to the U.S. over the next three years. Continue reading »

VISIT FLORIDA would like to congratulate Chris Thompson and Brand USA on their success in establishing a strong national destination marketing organization that is driving increased travel to the United States.  Their latest efforts to attract visitors from around the globe are spotlighted in a  recent article by the Washington Post. Continue reading »

Today, VISIT FLORIDA is proud to announce the selection of Will Seccombe as its new President and CEO.  Will, our Chief Marketing Officer since 2008, has been serving as the Acting President and CEO since Chris Thompson’s departure to head Brand USA.  Today’s unanimous vote by the VISIT FLORIDA Board of Directors to have Will become Chris’ permanent replacement is the culmination of a deliberate process by a six-member executive search committee in concert with the national recruiting firm SearchWide. Continue reading »