The Partnership for Florida’s Tourism is a grassroots coalition designed to raise awareness of the importance of tourism and to increase public funding of tourism marketing. The Partnership for Florida’s Tourism began in 2006 to combat the increased funding of other top destinations. Key influencers in the tourism industry, and key influencers from business not directly within the Florida tourism industry, but who benefit from spending of Florida’s visitors, have joined in this effort.
The Partnership is comprised of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, Florida Attractions Association, Florida Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds, Florida Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus and VISIT FLORIDA.
The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association
The Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association also known as FRLA is among the most influential trade associations in Florida. The association was established in 1946 to represent the restaurant industry. Since that time, the scope of FRLA’s representation has expanded to include the entire hospitality industry including lodging establishments, restaurants and thousands of suppliers to the industry. The association counts among its members some of the largest businesses in each of these categories.
The Florida Attractions Association
The Florida Attractions Association is the cornerstone of Florida’s number one industry…Tourism.
From its beginning 59 years ago spearheaded by five key attractions, the Florida Attractions Association has grown in size and stature. Today its membership is comprised of nearly 90 leading attractions, 74 allied members, 35 State Parks, and three affiliate members throughout the Sunshine State.
Florida Association of Convention & Visitors Bureaus
The FACVB serves as the single unifying voice for all of Florida’s convention and visitor bureaus, providing insight and direction as we enter a new millennium marked by an increasing competitive tourism marketplace. Organized in 1996, FACVB’s strives to increase the overall effectiveness of Florida CVB’s destination marketing efforts. It’s stated mission is to provide cooperative action to enhance and encourage the growth of Florida’s convention and visitors industry through promoting tourism industry education, enhancing professionalism, facilitating the cooperative exchange of information between Florida CVBs, developing an awareness of legislative issues and unifying the state’s CVB industry through public relations.
The Florida Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds
The Florida Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (FARVC) is a non-profit trade association representing the owners and operators of Florida campgrounds and RV Parks. Founded in 1964, Florida ARVC was one of the first Campground Owner’s Associations established in the nation. Florida ARVC is dedicated to helping Florida campgrounds and RV parks provide a quality camping experience for everyone who enjoys camping as a vacation or a lifestyle.
VISIT FLORIDA®
VISIT FLORIDA is the state’s official tourism marketing corporation created in 1996. VISIT FLORIDA is not a governmental agency, but rather a not-for-profit corporation that carries out the work of the Florida Commission on Tourism. It was created as a public/private partnership by the Florida Legislature in 1996. The Commission, in partnership with the Governor’s office, took over the functions of what was then the Division of Tourism for the Florida Department of Commerce. VISIT FLORIDA receives state funding in the form of a portion of the two-dollar-per-day rental car surcharge. Every public dollar invested in VISIT FLORIDA generates more than three dollars of additional state sales tax revenue, paid by visitors, not residents. Additional funding is secured from the private sector to expand VISIT FLORIDA’s marketing dollars. This is done by actively recruiting the state’s tourism industry as contributing Partners, through cooperative advertising campaigns, promotional program and many other pay-to-play ventures. VISIT FLORIDA keeps top-of-mind for visitors, which keeps Florida’s economy running at full speed and drawing millions upon millions of visitors year-after-year.
