Sunshine Matters

The U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board recently released the four recommendations they made to Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker as priority issues for our industry to be examined over the next three years.  Their recommendations fell into four key buckets:  improving the visa and entry process, substantial investment in transportation infrastructure, reauthorization of Brand USA and expansion of public/private partnerships modeled after the relationship between the TTAB and Commerce Department. Continue reading »

Today, VISIT FLORIDA’s President and CEO, Chris Thompson, was re-appointed to the U.S. Travel Association Executive Committee.  The U.S. Travel Association, made up of more than 2,100 members, is the national non-profit organization representing all components of the country’s $1.8 trillion travel industry.  Its 27-member Executive Committee is tasked with addressing pressing issues facing the travel industry and serves as a direct link between industry members and the U.S. Travel Board of Directors.

Four other travel industry executives from Florida also serve on the committee, including Gary Sain with Visit Orlando, Christine Duffy with Cruise Line International Association, Randy Garfield with Disney Destinations and Kelly Miller with Tampa Bay & Co.  Sain and Duffy both serve on the VISIT FLORIDA Board of Directors. Continue reading »