Sunshine Matters

On behalf of the entire Florida tourism industry, I would like to thank those in the Governor’s Office and with the Florida Department of Highway Safety & Motor Vehicles who acted quickly this week to address concerns about the International Driving Permit.  I would especially like to commend Julie Jones, Executive Director of DHSMV and two key members of her communications staff, Courtney Heidelberg and Kirsten Olsen-Doolan. Continue reading »

Meetings and conventions are big business for Florida and one of VISIT FLORIDA’s main platforms in attracting visitors to the Sunshine State.  Business travel to Florida generates approximately $219 per person per day to our economy, and those visitors have a very high potential for traveling back to Florida with family and friends. Continue reading »

As an industry-driven organization, VISIT FLORIDA’s greatest asset is the input and guidance we receive from you – the members of the Florida tourism industry. Since our founding in 1996, VISIT FLORIDA’s marketing efforts have been strengthened by the direct involvement of volunteer leaders representing our industry.  The way we market the Sunshine State to the world has transformed in the last several years and is expected to evolve exponentially in the years to come.  VISIT FLORIDA is on the cutting-edge of creating marketing programs and opportunities that provide value for our industry Partners, but we cannot continue to do so without your strategic direction. Continue reading »

Recently, the U.S. Travel Association shared the results of a new report measuring the impact and value of travel jobs.  Fast Forward: Travel Creates Opportunities and Launches Careers details our industry’s benefit to the American workforce using analysis of more than three decades of employment data collected by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Continue reading »

VISIT FLORIDA and the Florida Tourism Industry took center stage at the recent REJUVENATE Marketplace, held in Columbus, Ohio.  The Marketplace featured over 2,000 faith-based meeting professionals or organizations with the potential to host their meetings, conventions and events in the Sunshine State. Continue reading »