Overview of First Half of Session:
The first four weeks of session focused around the FY 2010-2011 state budget as an immediate priority. Both the Senate and House Transportation and Economic Development Appropriations committees presented drafts of their budget proposals. The Partnership for Florida’s Tourism will continue to educate the legislature on how critically important it is to fund tourism marketing, which benefits all Floridians.
As the state’s official tourism marketing organization, VISIT FLORIDA works in partnership with the tourism industry to promote and generate travel to and within the Sunshine State. VISIT FLORIDA is a catalyst for the state’s tourism industry, matching every dollar in state funding with nearly two dollars in private sector investment for cooperative marketing, sales, promotions, and public relations efforts. In 2008, tourism comprised 21 percent of Florida’s total taxable sales, returning $3.9 billion to the state in the form of sales taxes and generating $65.2 billion in direct economic impact. For FY 2010-2011, Governor Crist recommended an allocation of $25 million to VISIT FLORIDA for the continued marketing of our state’s tourism industry.
The proposals in the House and Senate include some trust fund dollars and general revenue for VISIT FLORIDA. However, both are short of the Governor’s recommendation.
We need your help. Whether meeting with your legislators in their district, writing letters to the editor of your local paper, or inviting your legislators to your properties and attractions—it is your involvement that will play an integral role in obtaining public funding for tourism marketing. To learn more about how you can help, contact Dia Kuykendall at dia@VISITFLORIDA.org.
Florida’s Tourism Counts. We’re counting on you!
