Sunshine Matters

Florida ranks second among all 50 states in total international visitation and first in visitor spending.  In 2010 alone, Florida’s tourism industry brought in 11.1 million international visitors from 144 different countries who spent $10.6 billion. As a unique opportunity for increasing international visitation to the state and improving the Sunshine State’s economy, VISIT FLORIDA has now expanded the Florida Insider Program to reach overseas audiences.

In addition to our nine Florida-based Insiders, VISIT FLORIDA has added two international Insiders to our roster of vacation experts. Kylie Jenkins, representing the United Kingdom-Ireland and Wiebke Flegel-Wult from Germany, are the newest internationally-based Florida Insiders generating content and providing insight specifically for international visitors to the Sunshine State.

Both of our international Insiders cover Florida-specific topics, using real-time, quick-response tools to engage in dialogue with their followers.  Posting daily tips to their blogs, answering users’ questions and writing feature stories are just a few activities that our Insiders take part in.  They photograph their favorite destination locations, upload informal videos highlighting an array of features in the Sunshine State and maintain an active social media presence on Facebook and Twitter. What makes them different from our current domestic Insiders is their ability to provide an international perspective on Florida that resonates with overseas visitors to the state.

Meet Our UK Insider Kylie Jenkins

Our newest international Insider, Kylie Jenkins, works for VISIT FLORIDA at Gosh PR in the United Kingdom. She loves all things outdoors and water-related in the Sunshine State.  She also enjoys traveling the world, sailing and horseback riding.

Launched in October, the UK-Ireland Insider blog is an easy-to-navigate tool for travelers from the United Kingdom and Ireland who are looking to vacation in the Sunshine State.  Kylie’s followers often have questions regarding Florida’s safest beaches, new hotel openings, food festivals and the best locations to swim with dolphins. They also seek information when planning holiday travel for their families.  In addition to the Insider blog, Kylie heads up our UK-Ireland Facebook page.  This page features destination photos, tips for vacationing in the Sunshine State and offers assistance with overall vacation planning.  Fans of the UK-Ireland Facebook page have told us they enjoy seeing photos that highlight some of Florida’s greatest assets, such as its beaches.

Meet Our German Insider Wiebke Flegel-Wult

VISIT FLORIDA’s German Insider, Wiebke Flegel-Wult, is a married, mother of two who serves as our public relations account executive at Mikullla Goldmann PR in Germany.  She has traveled all over the world and the Sunshine State is one of her favorite destinations.  Launched in March 2011, the German Insider blog has generated thousands of questions and inquiries regarding destination planning and travel to Florida.  As the face and voice of German travelers to the state, Wiebke prides herself on providing authentic stories, experiences and photos for her followers.

Wiebke is also the face of our German Facebook page where she posts interesting facts and photographs, while encouraging dialogue with potential German travelers to Florida.  She shared, “Our idea of offering a German Facebook page, in addition to the blog, was based on the fact that our German target groups appreciate dialogue and information in their native language. Our followers really appreciate receiving information from a German, in German!”  Many of Wiebke’s German followers ask for tips about international concerns such as visas, immigration issues and processes, requirements on driver’s licenses and customs.

Another way to follow Kylie and Wiebke’s international Insider posts is by checking out VISIT FLORIDA’s UK and German websites. VISIT FLORIDA Partners are encouraged to send information, photos, news, events and tips to Kylie and Wiebke at kylie@goshpr.co.uk and florida@mikullagoldmann.de.

In addition to our new international Insiders, VISIT FLORIDA has ten domestic Insiders covering Florida-specific topics. These topics include: Family; Golf; Outdoors & Nature; Beaches & Adventure; Boating & Fishing; Dining, Entertainment & Luxury; Off the Beaten Path; Smart Travel; Shopping; and Viva Florida.