Sunshine Matters

Yesterday, VISIT FLORIDA and nine other statewide organizations hosted the industry’s annual Florida Tourism Day at the Capitol.  This all-day event provided an excellent opportunity to showcase the state’s No. 1 industry to the legislature.

The day kicked off with speeches from Lt. Governor Carlos Lopez-Cantera, Attorney General Pam Bondi, Rep. Ritch Workman and DBPR Secretary Ken Lawson.  In the afternoon, the industry met with legislators at the Capitol and the day concluded with a street festival in downtown Tallahassee.  The key messages of the day were to urge lawmakers to support Governor Scott’s recommendation of $85 million for VISIT FLORIDA’s tourism marketing efforts by reminding them that for every dollar the state invests in VISIT FLORIDA, $3.20 in tax revenue is generated, and that every 85 visitors supports one Florida job.

As part of Tourism Day, a record 550 industry representatives from 44 counties around the state traveled to Tallahassee and held scheduled meetings with more than 135 legislators and government leaders.  The street party Wednesday evening featured live entertainment and showcased food and exhibits from numerous members of the tourism industry and supporting organizations.

The 2015 Florida Tourism Day hosts included the Partnership for Florida’s Tourism – which is comprised of VISIT FLORIDA, the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, the Florida Attractions Association, the Florida Association of Destination Marketing Organizations and the Florida Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds – as well as the Florida Association of Museums, Film Florida, Florida Sports Foundation, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the Florida Cattlemen’s Association.

With four consecutive years of record breaking visitation, spending and tourism-industry employment, Florida tourism carries a tremendous amount of momentum into 2015.  Given that we have the best tourism product on the planet, visionary public sector leadership from Governor Scott and the Florida Legislature, more than 1.1 million Floridians who provide exceptional service to our visitors every day, and highly impactful marketing programs from VISIT FLORIDA and our destination marketing partners across the state, Florida is well-positioned to become the No. 1 travel destination in the world.

While Florida Tourism Day was a huge success, our industry must continue to share these positive messages year-round.  To learn how you can help, please visit TourismWorksforFlorida.org.

I want to thank everyone who traveled to Tallahassee to advocate on behalf of our state’s No. 1 industry for your passion, commitment and support of VISIT FLORIDA.