Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiNovember 21, 2016

With Gov. Rick Scott in Jacksonville announcing record-setting tourism numbers and attributing them to VISIT FLORIDA, it was only natural that Paul Astleford, who heads up Visit Jacksonville, would have his say on the “big numbers.” With Visit Jacksonville under scrutiny for travel expenses, and with its contract due for renewal in a year, Astleford took advantage of the […]

Associated PressNovember 21, 2016

Despite two hurricanes hitting the state, federal officials warning away pregnant women from Miami due to the Zika virus, and international coverage of the Pulse massacre this summer, Florida is doing better than ever when it comes to tourism. And in the context of an upcoming showdown with House Speaker Richard Corcoran over the necessity of Visit […]

Jim RosicaAugust 17, 2016

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VISIT FLORIDA, the state’s tourism agency, says it’s continuing a sponsorship deal with a London soccer —er, football — team. The partnership with Fulham Football Club is entering its second year, according to an email sent Wednesday by Paul Phipps, the agency’s chief marketing officer. What’s the Florida connection? The club is owned by Shahid Khan, who also owns the […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterAugust 12, 2016

Visitors keep flocking to the Sunshine State. State tourism officials announced Friday 57.4 million people traveled to Florida in the first half of the year. The number marks a 4.3 percent increase from the first six months of 2015. “It’s exciting to have a record tourism number,” said Gov. Rick Scott during an event at the […]

Lloyd DunkelbergerJuly 12, 2016

After getting rebuffed in another attempt to secure state incentive money for improvements at its historic track, the Daytona International Speedway has signed on two new lobbying teams with the start of another state fiscal year. The speedway has hired Johnson & Blanton and Southern Strategy Group to represent its interests in Tallahassee. The speedway, […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJuly 1, 2016

Enterprise Florida board members approved a plan to slash spending and restructure the state’s public-private economic development agency. The EFI board of directors voted overwhelmingly to approve recommendations to cut about $6 million. The board approved about a dozen recommendations, including closing offices, ending contracts and eliminating 26 positions. Eliminating the positions will save the […]

Mitch PerryJune 30, 2016

Britain is the No. 2 source market for international visitors to Florida, which is why Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine says the effects from last week’s “Brexit” vote will leave its mark on the Sunshine State. Several economists say the U.S. economy will likely take a modest hit from the U.K.’s vote last week to leave the […]

Jim RosicaJune 16, 2016

The head of the state’s tourism agency announced a “dining out” fundraiser next Thursday, June 30, for the OneOrlando Fund. Will Seccombe, president and CEO of VISIT FLORIDA, Thursday posted on the agency’s official blog, “Sunshine Matters.” The fundraiser, co-sponsored by the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, “will be a day for Florida restaurants, their employees and guests […]

Gary FineoutJune 4, 2016

State officials have given a good review of Florida’s tourism marketing agency and a second outfit that promotes the aerospace industry. Gov. Rick Scott earlier this year called for the reviews of both Visit Florida and Space Florida. Scott ordered the review of Visit Florida after the Orlando Sentinel reported taxpayers paid thousands of dollars […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMay 16, 2016

Millions of people traveled to the Sunshine State in the first three months of 2016, according to first-quarter tourism estimates released Monday. Approximately 29.8 million tourists came to Florida in the first quarter. That’s up 6.6 percent from the same three-month period in 2015. “I’m thrilled that Florida continues to break records in the amount […]

Tag: Visit Florida
Image via AP.

Paul Astleford says Visit Jacksonville gets results

Gov. Scott: record numbers of tourists vindicate Visit Florida’s mission

Florida re-ups tourism deal with London ballers

Florida on track to see 115 million visitors in 2016

Daytona International Speedway revs up lobbying efforts by hiring Johnson & Blanton, SSG

Enterprise Florida board approves staff cuts, cost reductions

Philip Levine predicts ‘Brexit’ will adversely affect Florida’s tourism industry

VISIT FLORIDA wants you to dine out for Orlando

Review says it’s mostly sunny for state tourism agency, Visit Florida

Nearly 30 million people visited Florida in first three months of 2016