Sun still shining in Florida
Despite the four hurricanes that roared through Florida last year, the state had a record number of visitors last year.
Tourist spending reached a record $57 billion, up 10.8% from $51.5 billion in 2003.
A survey in March showed that only one in every ten potential visitors was less likely to visit the state because of hurricanes. That number was down from one in five earlier in the year.
Part of the reason for the state’s continuing popularity is the marketing done by Visit Florida, which has increased its advertising to raise the state profile as a destination.
The agency is paying for “Cover your event” insurance to allay fears of convention organizers. The coverage will pay up to $200,000 for major events if a hurricane disrupts plans from August through October.
In the state’s biggest tourism market, Orlando, only five of 988 meetings scheduled this year have changed plans, according to Danielle Courtenay, a spokeswoman for the Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau.
She said new rides and attractions are also helping draw more visitors.
Florida is also the capital of the cruise industry with about two-thirds of US passengers leaving from that state. A record 11 million passengers are expected this year, according to the Cruise Lines International Association.
Report by David Wilkening
David
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive
Euromonitor International unveils world’s top 100 city destinations for 2025
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports