April 2023 Industry Newsletter - Notes from the CEO
Dear Tourism Partner,
Happy Easter! Can you believe it’s April? Wow, the days and months are flying by. The area has been busy hosting visitors and our February tax receipts are holding strong. We are up 5 percent through the first three weeks of February but still down 3 percent on the year to date. March is historically our busiest month of the year and we are hopeful that it should reflect that.
I just returned from Destinations Florida's Tourism Day in Tallahassee. The event is held each year at the beginning of the session to educate and garner continuous support from our state lawmakers in Tallahassee.
On Tuesday, March 28th the House Regulatory Reform & Economic Development Subcommittee passed PCB RRS 23-02, a bill that amounts to the biggest attack on the Florida tourism industry ever proposed. The committee was well attended by Destinations Florida members and industry partners and allies who all spoke out in opposition to the bill. Joining Destinations Florida in opposing the bill were the Florida Association of Counties, Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, Florida Attractions Association, Florida Association of Museums, Central Florida Hotel and Lodging Association, RV Park and Campground Association, Small County Coalition, Associated Industries of Florida, and Florida Chamber of Commerce. The only organization voicing support for the legislation was Americans for Prosperity. It is important to note also under attack are: Film Florida, Sports Florida and Enterprise Florida.
We are monitoring the situation and will continue to educate and advocate that Visit Florida’s return on investment is $3.27 for each $1 spent. Floridians save $1,500 on average because of tourism and Florida has no state income tax because of tourism. We certainly hope the senate budget prevails, providing $80 million for Visit Florida.
Don’t forget - Earth Day is April 22 and in a coastal destination such as ours, environmental sustainability is part of our economic and cultural DNA. As we celebrate Earth Day this month, the Visitors Bureau is here to help you find new ways to balance commerce and conservation. Your work within our One Planet Living Action Plans will propel our destination toward a more robust and sustainable future.
Allow me to welcome our new Communications Manager Susan McLain and Travel & Tourism Manager Nicole Hanacek to the team.
I look forward to seeing you next month at our National Tourism Week Breakfast on May 9 at The Brannon Center! This will free and informative program will showcase our Destination Master Plan and Dr. Sean Snaith will give us the latest economic forecast.
We look forward to seeing you soon.
Tourism Touches You
