Sunshine Matters

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 »

Florida’s diverse culinary offerings include a cast of celebrity chefs from around the Sunshine State. VISIT FLORIDA’s Public Relations department is working with our industry partners and the producers at WCTV-TV – a CBS news affiliate in Tallahassee – to provide a platform for awareness and inspiration by showcasing Florida’s local culinary stars and their specialty dishes.  The earned media opportunity with WCTV provides VISIT FLORIDA and its partners a regional broadcast outlet to reach viewers in North Florida and South Georgia. Continue reading »

In order to provide personal travel planning assistance to our Sunshine State drive visitors, VISIT FLORIDA operates five Official Florida Welcome Centers located at strategic entry points along Interstate 10. During the first five months of 2012, visitation to the Welcome Centers has grown by 10.5 percent over the same period in 2011.  This represents an increase of more than 90,000 visitors, bringing our five-month total visitation number to nearly 1 million. In speaking with our Welcome Center visitors, we attribute the increase in traffic to good weather, value pricing and lower gas prices.  We are also certain that the expert customer service provided by our outstanding staff is a contributor to the uptick. Continue reading »

VISIT FLORIDA and the Florida tourism industry definitely made waves at the recent Collaborate Marketplace 2012, held at the Red Rock Hotel in Las Vegas.  With over 70 Florida tourism partners present at the event, corporate meeting planners from all across the U.S. are definitely aware that “Florida Means Business” and that we’re serious about hosting their next meetings, conventions and incentive travel functions here in the Sunshine State. Continue reading »

According to preliminary estimates* we released today, 23.4 million visitors came to Florida in the first quarter of 2012 (January-March), an increase of 2.4 percent over the same period in 2011.  Direct travel-related employment in Florida also rose 1.9 percent to 1,027,500, adding 19,200 jobs since this time one year ago and representing the largest employment total since first quarter 2008. Continue reading »