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.

“With great pride we can all reflect on the Travel Promotion Act’s long road to creation, Brand USA’s start-up season and its current performance as a fully functioning, accountable global marketing organization. And now it is a sustainable program that has achieved Congressional renewal,” said Roger Dow, President and CEO of U.S. Travel.  “After months of protracted uncertainty, Brand USA and its more than 400 partners can confidently advance the many programs that are driving more than a million new international travelers across America, and delivering new jobs, tax revenue and reduction to the federal deficit.”

A huge thank you to Roger Dow and his team at U.S. Travel for their leadership and advocacy on behalf of the U.S. travel and tourism industry and congratulations to our own Chris Thompson and his colleagues at Brand USA for this tremendous accomplishment.  VISIT FLORIDA is a proud supporter of Brand USA’s programs to increase international visitation, having been one of its original founding partners.  In 2013, one in five international visitors to the U.S. came to Florida, with the Sunshine State welcoming nearly 15 million international travelers from 186 countries who spent more than $16 billion.  Through our continued partnership with Brand USA, we look forward to building on this momentum to make Florida the No. 1 travel destination in the world.