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Report Finds Some Issues with Florida’s Economic Incentive Programs

January 4, 2024January 3, 2024 The Center Square

The Florida Legislature’s research arm released a report documenting issues with some of the Sunshine State’s economic development incentives and programs.

A review of Florida’s entertainment industry incentives by the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability showed that 1,409 production companies had reported spending an estimated $1.3 billion on average. Companies also saved around $22 million in sales tax, and 57% of production companies said the incentives affected their decision to work in Florida.

Report: Florida’s Tourism Industry Will Continue Post-COVID Recovery

March 7, 2023March 6, 2023 The Center Square

With the exception of a dip during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, Florida’s tourism industry has continued to grow since 2019 and predictions are that the good times will continue to roll for the Sunshine State.

A report from Visit Florida, showed that the Sunshine State had approximately 33.2 million visitors in total during the fourth quarter of 2022. This is 6% higher than the same time period in 2021, and 7.8% higher than October 2019 through December 2019.

Florida Tourism Numbers Continue to Grow

November 20, 2022November 19, 2022 The Center Square

Florida’s tourism numbers continue to grow, according to new data released by VISIT FLORIDA, the state’s tourism agency.

In the third quarter, between July and September, Florida welcomed 35.1 million visitors, marking a 6.9% increase from Q3 2021. It’s also the fifth consecutive quarter of overall visitation that’s surpassed pre-pandemic levels.

First-Quarter Florida Tourism Continues Record Streak

May 19, 2022May 18, 2022 The Center Square

In the first quarter of 2022, 36 million people visited the Sunshine State, a 39.6% percent increase from the same eriod last year, according to VISIT FLORIDA.

It’s the third consecutive quarter that overall visitation to Florida has surpassed pre-pandemic visitation levels.

Florida Tourism Numbers Break Record in First Quarter

May 16, 2022May 15, 2022 Steve Stewart

An analysis by Visit Florida, the state’s tourism-marketing agency, showed that Florida attracted a record number of tourists during the first three months of 2022. The numbers, which were released this past Friday, surpassed totals reported for similar time periods before the COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted the hospitality and leisure industry.

The analysis estimates that 35.982 million people traveled to Florida between the start of January and the end of March. Florida has now recorded four consecutive quarters attracting more than 30 million visitors.

“Our Q1 visitation estimates show that 2022 is shaping up to be another amazing year for Florida tourism,” said Dana Young, VISIT FLORIDA President and CEO. “In addition to breaking more pre-pandemic records domestically, we are seeing an exponential rebound in Orlando as well as our international numbers, which we expect to continue in the months ahead.

Florida Tourism Numbers at All-Time High

February 17, 2022February 16, 2022 Grant Holcomb

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) announced that Florida’s domestic tourism levels have returned to pre-pandemic levels and have even reached an all-time high. In 2021, Florida had a total of 118 million domestic visitors.

VISIT FLORIDA, Enterprise Florida on Track to Get Extensions

January 26, 2022January 25, 2022 Grant Holcomb

Two of Florida’s notable marketing programs, VISIT FLORIDA and Enterprise Florida, have received funding extension support from two of its committee stops so far. The programs are prioritized in HB 489 sponsored by Florida State Rep. Linda Chaney (R-FL-69).

Visit Florida Reports Tourism Numbers Up in Third Quarter

November 18, 2021November 17, 2021 Casey Owens

Recent data released by Visit Florida regarding the third quarter of 2021 saw the number of U.S. travelers to Florida exceed the numbers from the same three-month period in 2020, and in 2019, while international travelers slowly make their way back to the state.

The number of domestic travelers in quarter three of 2021 was 31.204 million, 55.3% more than quarter three of 2020. With other countries loosening their COVID-19 border policies, the number of overseas and Canadian travelers was 1.226 million and 85,000, respectively, which toppled 2020 quarter three data by 604.1% and 512.3%, respectively.

Visit Florida to Ask Florida Legislature for $75 Million

October 1, 2021September 30, 2021 Casey Owens

Florida’s state tourism-marketing agency, Visit Florida, announced Wednesday that it plans to ask Florida lawmakers to increase the agency’s funding, and extend the expiration or “sunset” date of the agency.

At an Enterprise Florida Board of Directors meeting where the announcement was made, Visit Florida Chairman, Danny Gaekwad said the agency will request $75 million, and ask for its sunset date to be once again extended past its current date of October 1st, 2023.

Florida Tourism Industry Rebounds in the Second Quarter of 2021

August 18, 2021August 17, 2021 Casey Owens

Tourism numbers in Florida continue to rebound in 2021, as data from quarter two (Q2) by the state’s tourism marketing agency, Visit Florida, shows 31.692 million visitors from April 1st to June 30th – 16.3% more visitors than quarter one.

The first two quarters of 2021 show an improvement compared to quarters two, three, and four of 2020 during the pandemic, which recorded 9.92 million, 20.33 million, and 19.09 million visitors, respectively.

Visit Florida Leaders Receive over $130,000 in Raises and Bonuses

June 11, 2021June 10, 2021 Casey Owens

The Board of Directors for Visit Florida, the state’s official tourism marketing corporation, approved over $130,000 in raises for CEO of Visit Florida Dana Young and her staff members.

Visit Florida is a non-profit corporation established in 1996 as a public and private partnership by the Florida Legislature that appropriates public funds or taxpayer money to tourism marketing. In 2021, the Florida tourism marketing budget consists of $75 million in state and federal funds.

Florida’s Tourism Industry Crippled During Pandemic, Shows Improvement

May 19, 2021May 18, 2021 Casey Owens

The state of Florida’s tourism industry took a huge hit caused by the COVID-19 pandemic that limited travel and encouraged people around the world to stay at home.

Before 2020 was struck by the pandemic, Florida had increased its number of visitors every year since 2010 with 2019 recording the most at 131.4 million. According to Visit Florida, 2020 saw a 39.3% decrease from 2019 totaling only 79.75 million visitors.