Sunshine Matters

A bipartisan bill to re-authorize Brand USA—the Travel Promotion, Enhancement and Modernization Act of 2014—was offered earlier this month by leaders in the U.S. House and Senate, a first step in the process to extend this vital program and provide continuity for the nation’s travel promotion program through 2020.  Special thanks go to Florida’s own Rep. Gus Bilirakis  and Rep. Peter Welch (D-Vt.), as well as Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), for introducing this critical legislation. Continue reading »

Members of the Florida tourism industry, as well as all Floridians, benefit from the success of the travel economy.  Serving as the grassroots army of the American travel community, the Power of Travel Coalition seeks to amplify the voices of millions of travel employees with a vested interest in combating future roadblocks to travel, rewarding leaders who champion our industry and advocating for policies that promote travel to and within the United States. Continue reading »

Visa reform is a quick way back to new jobs through increased visitation and economic development from international markets.  These reforms will have significant positive impact on Florida’s tourism industry.  I urge you to read the alert below from the Power of Travel Coalition and support the cause as directed.

Urgent Action: Contact Congress to Support Visa Reform
in the State Department Funding Bill

The clock is ticking! While Congress decides how to keep the federal government funded through 2012, we need your help to ensure that important reforms to our visa system are included in any final spending bill.  In September, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved the Fiscal Year 2012 State Department funding bill (S. 1601), which includes reforms that make the U.S. visa system more efficient.  Now, both the full House and Senate must approve this bill before it becomes law. Continue reading »

For months now I have been touting the benefits of joining the Power of Travel Coalition.

The Power of Travel Coalition is the grassroots army of the American travel community.  The Coalition seeks to amplify the voices of millions of travel employees with a vested interest in rewarding leaders who champion our industry and advocating for policies that promote travel to and within the United States.

I am pleased to announce that Florida’s participation in the Power of Travel Coalition has reached 50,000.  That is a great milestone, but with nearly one million Floridians directly employed by tourism, we can definitely increase our numbers. Continue reading »

As you know, travel and tourism not only works for Florida—it works for America.  Our industry is one of America’s largest employers, with one out of every nine non-farm jobs relying on travel.  In the Sunshine State, every 85 visitors to Florida support one  tourism job.  Continue reading »