Sunshine Matters

Yesterday, the Partnership for Florida’s Tourism and five other statewide organizations hosted the industry’s annual Florida Tourism Day.   This all-day event at the Florida Capitol provided an excellent opportunity to showcase the state’s No. 1 industry to the legislature and to educate them on the rationale for tourism marketing public funding. Continue reading »

I am delighted to share that today Governor Scott announced VISIT FLORIDA’s preliminary estimates* showing 94.7 million visitors came to Florida in 2013, an increase of 3.5 percent over 2012.  This represents a record year for visitation to Florida, exceeding the previous high of 91.5 million in 2012.  The number of direct travel-related jobs in 2013 was also a record high, with 1,088,200 Floridians employed in the tourism industry – up 2.9 percent from 2012. Continue reading »

I am pleased to share that three VISIT FLORIDA Partners – Omni Amelia Island Plantation, Pensacola Lighthouse & Museum and Westgate Resorts – received the first-ever Governor’s Innovators in Business Award in the newly created Tourism & Hospitality category.  The winners were recognized by Governor Scott, as well as Secretary of Commerce and President & CEO of Enterprise Florida (EFI) Gray Swoope, during a special event held at the Governor’s Mansion last night.  The awards, which are announced each year in association with Florida Business Innovators Week, recognize Florida companies in select industries that have influenced the state’s economic growth and diversification over the last year. Continue reading »

Following a preview during today’s Board of Directors meeting in Palm Beach, VISIT FLORIDA announced the launch of our winter brand campaign inviting visitors to head to “the warmer side of winter.”  Every major destination competes for visitation this time of year as cold consumers look for a change of pace and environment.  VISIT FLORIDA’s new campaign reminds potential travelers that Florida is the place to be this time of year, with a television spot featuring visitors literally flying over a host of the Sunshine State’s warm weather settings. Continue reading »

As part of today’s historic proposed budget announcement, Governor Rick Scott presented a Business Ambassador Award to long-time tourism  industry leader Ed Fouché.  The award is given to business standouts who have significantly impacted the industry they represent, and there could be no more deserving recipient than Ed. Continue reading »