Sunshine Matters

Preliminary estimates* of visitors to Florida for the second quarter of 2010 (April – June) show an estimated 20.8 million travelers visited the Sunshine State.  This represents an increase of 3.4 percent from the same period in 2009.

While Florida as a whole showed an increase in visitors for the second quarter, we know that tourism businesses in oil-impacted parts of the state have suffered economically.  There can be little doubt that without Governor Crist’s intense focus and our aggressive tourism marketing efforts during May and June the Sunshine State could easily have been looking at a very different outcome.  Continue reading »

Florida has long been the number one recreational fishing destination in the country for anglers, which rightly earned us the title of “Fishing Capital of the World.”   Fishing in the Sunshine State brings in $7.5 billion and supports 75,000 jobs.  With nearly 3.7 million residents and visitors who fish Florida’s waters annually, fishing is an integral part of the state’s tourism industry.   Continue reading »

Media Coverage Overview – June 30, 2010

KEY TOPICS

During the last 24 hours, traditional print and online media coverage have reported on the Deepwater Horizon oil spill situation and its impact on Florida’s tourism industry. Some reports focus on the advertising being used by Gulf States to address oil spill concerns, in addition to Gov. Charlie Crist addressing Florida’s water safety. Below, see highlights from media coverage resulting from VISIT FLORIDA’s proactive earned media efforts. Continue reading »

Media Coverage Overview – June 29, 2010

KEY TOPICS

During the last 24 hours, traditional print and online media coverage have reported on the Deepwater Horizon oil spill situation and its impact on Florida’s tourism industry. Some reports focus on the advertising being used by Gulf States to address oil spill concerns, in addition to Gov. Charlie Crist’s opposition to offshore drilling in Florida. Continue reading »

I wanted to share the following information with you that has just come to us from the Governor’s Office, as well as a link to our newest television spot. Continue reading »