As our state faced a budget shortfall this session, lawmakers had the opportunity to view VISIT FLORIDA as part of the budget solution so we can continue to bring visitors and tourism-related sales taxes to the Sunshine State. Without adequate funding for VISIT FLORIDA this session, local companies, communities and our state economy could have suffered the consequences. VISIT FLORIDA was granted $26.4 million in funding in order to continue to assist Florida’s travel industry and protect the vital state tax revenue generated by tourists. 

On April 13, the Senate Commerce Committee confirmed the following members of the Florida Commission on Tourism:

Harvey F. Campbell, (Lake City) 06/30/2013
Ty Christian, (Orlando) 06/30/2010
Julian E. Fouche’, (Lake Buena Vista) 06/30/2012
Richard B. Goldman, (Ponte Vedra Beach) 06/30/2012
Tammy S. Gustafson, (Orlando) 06/30/2012
Andrew P. Hertz, (Miami) 06/30/2010
Antonino R. Lapi, (Captiva Island) 06/30/2012
Charles “Sonny” F. Mares, (Santa Rosa Beach) 06/30/2010
Carol J. McQueen, (Bronson) 06/30/2010
John J. Perez, (Punta Gorda) 06/30/2013
Scott Rose, (Orlando) 06/30/2012
Thom Stork, (Tampa) 06/30/2010
Jack W. Wert, (Naples) 07/30/2010
Harold D. Wheeler, (Key West) 06/30/2012

The Florida Commission on Tourism is the public/private partnership responsible for the vitality and growth of Florida’s tourism industry. Promoting Florida as the premier travel destination, both domestically and internationally, is the major focus of the Commission’s direct support organization, VISIT FLORIDA.

VISIT FLORIDA creates and implements advertising, sales, promotional, and public relations activities to increase vacation, business, conference, and incentive travel to Florida. It also assists in the development of nature-based, historical, and cultural tourism. Leveraging funds appropriated by the state with private sector contributions, VISIT FLORIDA is enabled to greatly enhance promotion of the state’s tourism assets and prospects.

Among its activities, VISIT FLORIDA:

• Coordinates direct mass media marketing to consumers, both domestically and internationally;

• Works with the world’s major travel writers and broadcasters and produces print and broadcast promotions;

• Interfaces with the professional travel trade and consumers; attends and facilitates the presence of the Florida tourism industry at travel trade shows worldwide;

• Maintains international representation in the United Kingdom, Europe, Canada, Latin America and Japan;

• Compiles the state’s official air and auto visitor numbers, tracks tourism trends, and conducts surveys to assess the effectiveness of advertising and marketing efforts; and

• Operates the state’s five Official Florida Welcome Centers at I-10 in Pensacola, U.S. 231, I-75, I-95, and the Florida Capitol.

Update:  The members were confirmed by the Senate by a vote of 39-0 on April 27, 2010.

The Florida Legislature begins its 2010 session on March 2. This year’s session is expected to be another tight budget year.

While legislators are in Tallahassee and at home in their districts on weekends throughout the session, we are asking those employed by the tourism industry and tourism supporters to contact their legislators in support of VISIT FLORIDA and its major priority: $25 million in funding for tourism marketing.

This year the Partnership for Florida’s Tourism is working to enable you to serve as grassroots advocates that will contact legislators at key times during the session.  By joining us, you will be prompted at critical times during the session to take action.

Your voice, your connection to your local lawmakers and your action can make a huge difference in the lives of all Floridians.