Visit Florida funding decimated in state budget
As expected Florida lawmakers passed a budget with a big funding cut for under fire tourism agency Visit Florida.
The $82 billion budget was passed by the GOP-controlled Florida Legislature with 67% less funding for Visit Florida.
It is now left to its biggest supporter Republican Gov. Rick Scott to grudgingly pass or veto it.
Scott had campaigned tirelessly for $100 million in funding for the agency but it got just $25 million with stringent disclosure conditions over how it should be spent.
The extra scrutiny on Visit Florida was sparked by its refusal to disclose a $1 million payment to Miami rapper Pitbull for a tourism marketing campaign.
Since then there has been strong opposition to the agency from some lawmakers who wanted to see it disbanded for good and an end to the culture of ‘corporate welfare.’
"With only $25 million dedicated to promoting our state, there’s no way Florida can stay on the same playing field as states like California. Not to mention, Visit Florida’s efforts are what keeps tourists from flying over Florida to Mexico, the Bahamas and now Cuba," said Gil Langley, chairman of the Florida Association of Destination Marketing Organizations.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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