Sunshine Matters

I’m pleased to share that preliminary estimates* of visitors to Florida for the second quarter of 2011 (April-June) show an estimated 21.2 million travelers visited the Sunshine State.  This represents an increase of 6.9 percent from the same period in 2010.  In addition, 5.6 million pleasure trips were taken by Florida residents in-state during the second quarter. Continue reading »

I’m pleased to share VISIT FLORIDA’s preliminary estimates* of visitors to Florida for the first quarter of 2011 (January – March) which show an estimated 23.3 million travelers visited the Sunshine State.  This represents an increase of 3.3 percent from the same period in 2010.

Preliminary estimates for the first quarter of 2011 show a 2.0 percent increase in domestic visitors, a 14.4 percent increase in the overseas market and an 8.1 percent increase in Canadian travel to Florida.  Of the 23.3 million visitors Florida welcomed this past quarter, domestic visitation represents 19.8 million or an estimated 84.8 percent of total; overseas visitors at 2.1 million or 9.1 percent of total; and Canadian visitors at 1.4 million or 6.1 percent of total.  Florida’s tourism-related employment for the first quarter of 2011 was 1,003,200, up by 52,300 jobs, which reflects a 5.5 percent increase when compared to the same period of 2010. Continue reading »

VISIT FLORIDA is celebrating National Travel and Tourism Week with the release of a new public service announcement (PSA) for our Share a Little Sunshine program featuring Governor Rick Scott.  The PSA showcases the importance of tourism as a job creator and encourages Floridians to help the state by joining in the movement at ShareaLittleSunshine.org. To view the PSA, please click here. Continue reading »

I’m excited to share the following press release with you that was sent out this afternoon by Governor’s Scott’s Press Office:

Governor Rick Scott and Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam today helped VISIT FLORIDA®, the state’s official tourism marketing corporation, announce the launch of their new FishingCapital.com website.  Working with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), VISIT FLORIDA has created the ultimate website for boating and fishing enthusiasts with content to help anglers get the most out of their next Florida fishing trip.  The announcement was made at the Destination Panama City Marina just before Governor Scott and other Cabinet members embarked on a brief fishing trip for the Florida Bass2Billfish television show, sponsored by VISIT FLORIDA.  Continue reading »

I am delighted to report that yesterday’s 2011 Florida Tourism Day at the Capitol was a huge success.  The purpose of Tourism Day is to educate the legislature, media and Floridians about the importance of Florida’s tourism industry and the rationale for public funding.  It serves as a platform to let our lawmakers know just how vital tourism is to our state and how crucial it is for them to support Florida’s No. 1 industry.  Continue reading »