Sunshine Matters

Glenn Hastings, 2012-2013 VISIT FLORIDA Chairman

With the start of the new fiscal year on July 1, VISIT FLORIDA is ushering in new leadership to serve on our industry committees and Board of Directors.  Glenn Hastings, Executive Director of the St. Johns County Tourist Development Council, takes over as the 2012-2013 Chairman of the Board.  Hastings succeeds Tony Lapi, CEO of the ‘Tweens Waters Inn Island Resort on Captiva Island, who served as Chairman during a year in which Florida welcomed a record number of visitors. Continue reading »

According to preliminary estimates* we released today, 23.4 million visitors came to Florida in the first quarter of 2012 (January-March), an increase of 2.4 percent over the same period in 2011.  Direct travel-related employment in Florida also rose 1.9 percent to 1,027,500, adding 19,200 jobs since this time one year ago and representing the largest employment total since first quarter 2008. Continue reading »

According to preliminary estimates* we released today, an estimated 85.9 million visitors came to Florida in 2011, an increase of 4.4 percent over 2010.  This represents a record year for visitation to Florida, exceeding the previous high of 84.5 million in 2007.  Direct travel-related employment in Florida also rose to a near record high of 1,013,100, adding more than 38,000 jobs and representing a 3.9 percent increase over 2010.

“With such significant increases in jobs and visitors to the Sunshine State in 2011, tourism remains the state’s No. 1 industry and the leading driver of Florida’s rebounding economy,” said Governor Rick Scott. “VISIT FLORIDA and the entire Florida tourism industry are leading the way to ensuring that we become the No. 1 travel destination in the world.” Continue reading »

I am pleased to announce that preliminary estimates* of visitors to Florida for the third quarter of 2011 (July-September) show an estimated 20.4 million travelers visited the Sunshine State.  This represents an increase of 5.1 percent from the same period in 2010.  In addition, Florida’s tourism-related employment for the third quarter of 2011 was 1,009,500, up by 51,400 jobs, which reflects a 5.4 percent increase when compared to third quarter 2010. Continue reading »

Today, as we start our new fiscal year, VISIT FLORIDA ushers in new leadership to serve on the industry committees and Board of Directors.  Tony Lapi, CEO of the ‘Tween Waters Inn Island Resort on Captiva Island, takes over as the 2011-12 Chairman of the Board.  Lapi succeeds Ed Fouché, Senior Vice President-Travel Industry Sales for Disney Destinations, who has served as Chairman for an unprecedented two-year stint while the industry faced unforeseen environmental and economic challenges.

The Florida tourism industry owes an incredible debt to Ed who provided strong leadership and commitment, through both his personal devotion and his influential role with Disney, during an incomparable period in VISIT FLORIDA’s 15-year history.  As we move forward, I can’t think of a better successor than Tony who epitomizes small business entrepreneurism at its very finest and brings a kinship with the vast majority of the Florida tourism industry to his leadership position. Continue reading »