Sunshine Matters

I am pleased to announce that the 2012-2013 VISIT FLORIDA Annual Report is now available online.   This marks the fourth year we have produced the report in an interactive online format, with the opportunity to download a printable PDF version.  The previous three year’s reports are also available.  We hope making the annual reports available online, with links to more details through archived blog posts and other web content, will allow viewers to move more easily through the wealth of information on VISIT FLORIDA’s efforts to market the Sunshine State and serve as a thought leader for the tourism industry this past fiscal year.

While the annual reports provide a snapshot of the entire fiscal year, VISIT FLORIDA also produces a monthly Florida Tourism Indicators Dashboard.  This document serves as a quick update for key stakeholders on statewide tourism statistics, including visitation numbers, employment figures and Welcome Center traffic.

The past two years have been marked by big changes and even bigger accomplishments for the Florida tourism industry.  We have had two consecutive years of record visitation, now 41 consecutive months of job growth, nearly 1.1 million Floridians employed in the tourism industry and are the top vacation destination for domestic visitors, families, beach-goers, Baby Boomers, Millennials and African American leisure travelers.

The entire Florida tourism industry is grateful to Governor Rick Scott and the Florida Legislature for providing VISIT FLORIDA with a significant increase in public funding over the past two years.  This is a clear indication that state leaders recognize the importance of tourism and our industry’s role in strengthening the Florida economy and creating jobs for Floridians.  It is also a strong endorsement of the industry-driven nature of our public/private partnership and our collective success in generating a substantial return on the state’s investment in VISIT FLORIDA’s cooperative marketing programs.

Thank you for your continued support and for all you do to build the momentum of the Florida tourism industry.