Florida Governor Recommends Tourism Marketing Budget

Governor Crist allocated $25 million in public funding for tourism marketing for the 2010-2011 fiscal year. The budget recommendations were announced on January 29th as VISIT FLORIDA begins its advocacy and education campaign for the 2010 Session in an effort to increase awareness and demonstrate the importance of tourism marketing.

Public investment is needed for VISIT FLORIDA to continue to provide cooperative marketing programs. Tourism marketing is a catalyst to stimulate our economy, a fact proven by the $3.9 billion in total state sales tax revenue returned to the state in 2008.

Tourism marketing is of great importance to our state:
• For every $1 in tourism marketing, VISIT FLORIDA generates $55 in tourism spending and more than $3 in new sales tax is collections.
• More than 1 million Floridians are directly employed by Florida’s tourism. That means 85 visitors equals 1 Florida job.
• Tourism provided 21 percent of our total state sales tax in 2008—more than any other industry.

Christopher L. Thompson, VISIT FLORIDA’s President and CEO, released the following statement in response to Governor Crist’s budget recommendations, which includes $25 million in public funding for VISIT FLORIDA’s tourism marketing efforts:
“Governor Crist has been and continues to be a great advocate in helping Florida become the No. 1 travel destination in the world. The tourism industry deeply appreciates Governor Crist’s recognition of tourism’s strong economic impact and return on investment to the Sunshine State with his budget recommendation of $25 million in public funding for tourism marketing.”

“We look forward to continuing to work with the Governor and the legislature in an effort to demonstrate the value tourism brings to every part of Florida through the return of crucial state sales tax revenues and jobs, which benefit all Floridians.”