Statement from Destinations Florida regarding Senate President support for Visit Florida:
“Today, Senate President Bill Galvano defended the need for VISIT FLORIDA and the value it provides our state. On behalf of Florida’s robust tourism and hospitality industry, we want to thank Senate President Bill Galvano for his support and for recognizing that many Florida businesses need the help of VISIT FLORIDA to continue to attract visitors.
Tourism is a competitive industry and today, visitors have many options to choose from. When travelers who are choosing destinations are presented with the misperceptions and misinformation that often follow a natural disaster, man-made disaster, viral outbreak, or violent event—all of which have occurred in Florida within the last decade— they are often dissuaded from choosing Florida.
When a hurricane hits or red tide is present in a certain area of the state, tourism promotion agencies must work overtime to battle mischaracterizations and misinformation and VISIT FLORIDA often provides the assistance needed so tourism agencies can support business in their communities.
We must continue to fight against the perception that tourism promotion is no longer necessary and continue to educate Floridians about the role tourism promotion plays at the state and local levels.
We thank Senate President Galvano and look forward to working with him and Florida’s leadership to share the value Florida’s tourism industry brings to our state.”
