Sunshine Matters

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 »

With the start of our new fiscal year on July 1, VISIT FLORIDA ushers in new leadership to serve on our Executive Committee, Board of Directors and industry committees.  I am proud to share that more than 220 VISIT FLORIDA partners, including some of the industry’s foremost experts, have been selected to represent the tourism industry for the upcoming term. 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 »

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 »