Sunshine Matters

I am pleased to share that Brand USA has been re-authorized through 2020 as part of the omnibus spending package that was passed by the U.S. House and Senate over the weekend.   This legislative victory follows months of intense lobbying by U.S. Travel and the exceptional leadership of Florida Rep. Gus Bilirakis and Rep. Peter Welch of Vermont who were the bill’s lead sponsors. Continue reading »

International visitors represent 11.7% of all Florida visitors.  In 2009, Florida welcomed nearly 9.5 million international visitors from 165 countries – who collectively spent over $5.8 billion in Florida.  This represents a decline of  3% in visitation and a 12% decline in spending from international visitors.  We could chalk the losses up to the global recession and presume that as the economy improves Florida will see international visitors return, but that would be a huge mistake. Continue reading »

Congratulations, U.S. Travel Industry!  Today, President Obama signed the Travel Promotion Act into law.  This marks a significant day for our industry and we have much to celebrate.  I want to take this occasion to once again thank everyone in the Florida tourism industry who helped make this a reality.

To view the official White House video of President Obama signing the Travel Promotion Act in the Oval Office, please click here. Continue reading »

Last night was a historic night!  Shortly before 9:00 p.m., the U.S. Senate passed the Travel Promotion Act creating the Corporation for Travel Promotion and providing up to $100 million for international marketing of the United States brand.  It will now go to the President for signature.  Continue reading »

In conjunction with the U.S. Travel Association’s annual Travel Leadership Summit in Washington D.C., VISIT FLORIDA partnered with the California Travel & Tourism Commission to host the “Golden State Meets Sunshine State” Congressional Reception. The event was held Tuesday, September 15, 2009 at The Terrace above Charlie Palmer Steak Restaurant, just a few blocks away from the Nation’s Capitol. Continue reading »