Sunshine Matters

VISIT FLORIDA is celebrating National Travel and Tourism Week with the release of a new public service announcement (PSA) for our Share a Little Sunshine program featuring Governor Rick Scott.  The PSA showcases the importance of tourism as a job creator and encourages Floridians to help the state by joining in the movement at ShareaLittleSunshine.org. To view the PSA, please click here.

“We know that every 85 visitors create one Florida job, which means a growing tourism industry equates to more jobs and a stronger economy,” said Governor Rick Scott. “Imagine what an impact it could have if every Floridian got involved by doing something as simple and fun as sending an invitation to their friends and family to visit the Sunshine State.”

As the state of Florida’s No. 1 industry, tourism was responsible for welcoming 82.6 million visitors in 2010 who spent more than $60 billion, generating 22 percent of the state’s sales tax revenue and employing nearly 1 million Floridians.  For every $1 spent on tourism marketing, VISIT FLORIDA – the state’s official tourism marketing corporation – generated $147 in tourism spending and $9 in new sales tax collections, paid by visitors, not residents.  VISIT FLORIDA’s ability to successfully market the Florida tourism product and bring in more visitors helps the state of Florida by building and growing businesses, creating jobs and providing family-sustaining wages.  These efforts to attract more visitors also generate increased tourist spending that provides funding to help build roads, support schools and pay for vital programs.

“This week is a celebration of Florida’s 100-year long tradition of sharing the sunshine with millions of visitors from around the world,” said Ed Fouché, Chairman of the VISIT FLORIDA Board of Directors and Senior Vice President–Travel Industry Sales for Disney Destinations. “A great way for all Floridians to be a part of that celebration is by taking an active role in the Share a Little Sunshine campaign.”

VISIT FLORIDA created Share a Little Sunshine as an in-state advocacy program that enables Florida residents to share recommendations, photographs and invitations to visit the state with their friends and family.  ShareaLittleSunshine.org provides participants an easy way to invite the ones they love to Florida by sending them digital postcards and videos.  The postcards can carry special opportunities and offers for recipients, increasing the incentive for them to visit Florida.  As a thank you, invite senders are rewarded by being entered into a sweepstakes, giving them the chance to win their own Florida vacation and other prizes.

We now have more than 26,000 fans of Share a Little Sunshine on Facebook and over 60,000 invites have been sent by Florida fans.  With the help of all Floridians, VISIT FLORIDA will continue to grow our visitor numbers and achieve our vision of establishing Florida as the No. 1 travel destination in the world.