Sunshine Matters

I am pleased to share that today, during a press conference in Tallahassee, TaxWatch unveiled a new report on the importance of the tourism industry to Florida’s economy.  Unpacking the Benefits of Florida Tourism is the first component of a comprehensive report on Florida’s capacity to increase tourism and create jobs that is due out in late 2014. Continue reading »

Happy New Year!  The Florida tourism industry kicks off the new fiscal year with a tremendous amount of momentum.  Record visitors, record spending, record hospitality industry jobs and record funding for VISIT FLORIDA.  I would like to thank Governor Scott and the entire Florida Legislature for their visionary leadership and support of the Florida tourism industry.  The tremendous growth in Florida tourism is directly tied to the fact that our elected leaders recognize the economic impact of tourism and our industry’s ability to create jobs for Floridians. Continue reading »

Today, Governor Scott signed the 2014-2015 state budget, which included a record $74 million for tourism marketing.  With the substantial increase in VISIT FLORIDA funding, Florida tourism is well-positioned to build on three consecutive years of record visitation, visitor spending and job creation. I would like to thank Governor Scott and the Florida Legislature for their visionary leadership and extraordinary support of VISIT FLORIDA and the state’s tourism industry. Continue reading »

I am delighted to share that today Governor Scott announced VISIT FLORIDA’s preliminary estimates* showing 26.7 million visitors came to Florida in the first quarter of 2014 (January-March), an increase of 2.0 percent over the same period in 2013.  This represents the largest quarter for visitation Florida has ever experienced, exceeding the previous high of 26.2 million in Q1 2013.  The average number of direct travel-related jobs in Q1 2014 was also a record high, with 1,125,300 Floridians employed in the tourism industry – up 3.5 percent from the same period in 2013. Continue reading »

Last night, the Florida Legislature passed the state budget which included a $10.5 million increase in VISIT FLORIDA funding for a record $74 million in FY 2014-15.  This allocation includes $5 million for medical tourism marketing and $1.3 million to promote the Sunshine State to veterans and active duty military.  I would like to thank Governor Rick Scott and the Florida Legislature for their visionary leadership and for their extraordinary support of VISIT FLORIDA and the state’s tourism industry. Continue reading »