Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Scott PowersNovember 7, 2017

Orange County and Visit Orlando are working on new rules to open the convention and visitors bureau’s business to more public scrutiny, Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs told Florida House Speaker Richard Corcoran in a letter sent Monday. “We believe that the additional transparency measures we plan to implement will greatly enhance the transparency and […]

Danny McAuliffeOctober 26, 2017

House Speaker Richard Corcoran has opened the next front in his personal war for transparency, moving legislation that would bar companies seeking to do business with the state from hiding information behind claims of “trade secrets.” A pair of bills (HB 459, HB 461) was filed Thursday by Rep. Ralph Massullo, a Republican representing Citrus and […]

Jim RosicaAugust 29, 2017

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The Tallahassee-based First Amendment Foundation, the state’s public records and open meetings watchdog, says it is supporting House Speaker Richard Corcoran’s “efforts on (tourism money) transparency and accountability.” In a letter to Corcoran sent Tuesday by foundation President Barbara Petersen, the group responded to Corcoran’s recent “comments in the Orlando Sentinel regarding the need for […]

Terry RoenAugust 25, 2017

House Speaker Richard Corcoran sent letters Friday to 12 tourism development councils that severed ties with Visit Florida demanding accountability and transparency in the way they spend taxpayer dollars. Visit Orlando is one of the 12 councils that cut ties with Visit Florida, after the state marketing agency was criticized for spending $1.25 million to […]

Scott PowersJuly 4, 2017

Tourism officials are keeping a cautious eye on the horizon, beyond the coast, beyond the sea, to see if the harsh isolationist international rhetoric and tough policies of President Donald Trump could sour foreign tourists on Florida. University of Central Florida economist Sean Snaith and Visit Orlando President George Aguel both warned Orange County officials […]

Scott PowersJune 23, 2017

Orlando is readying a pitch to attract the 2019 Major League Soccer All-Star Game but organizers could need $350,000 in backing from public funds and if they get that they’ll have to do it Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs‘ way. At Friday’s Tourist Development Council meeting, which Jacobs chairs, she lashed out at organizers for […]

Terry RoenMay 11, 2017

Visit Orlando announced Thursday that a record 68 million visitors came to Orlando last year, making it the number one destination in the United States. The number was released during Visit Orlando’s annual Travel & Tourism Luncheon at the Hilton Orlando. “Orlando’s visitation number represents the emotional connections we make with millions all over the […]

Scott PowersJune 28, 2016

The NFL is getting the money it wants to bring the Pro Bowl All-Star Game to Orlando in 2017, ’18 and ’19. The Orange County Board of Commissioners unanimously voted Tuesday to approve spending $1 million a year in tourism development tax to bring the Pro Bowl to Camping World Stadium. The board also approved $137,000 a year […]

Associated PressJune 17, 2016

Experts say it’s too soon to gauge whether a week of horrific news out of Orlando will hurt tourism there. But travel agents are not seeing widespread cancellations, and many travelers say they’re committed to visiting. “I had more people worrying last year about, ‘Should I postpone my trip because of Ebola?'” than are worried […]

Scott PowersApril 1, 2016

With Orange County’s bed tax flush from record tourism, Orlando’s tourism community wants to see more of that money spent on tourism marketing, the convention center and area sports and arts venues, including the next phase of construction for the Dr. Phillips Performing Arts Center. The Central Florida Hotel and Lodging Association and Orlando’s three major […]

Tag: Visit Orlando

Teresa Jacobs tells Richard Corcoran Orange County, Visit Orlando working on transparency

House wants to clamp down on ‘trade secrets’

First Amendment Foundation backing Richard Corcoran on transparency

Richard Corcoran accuses tourism councils of hiding taxpayer-financed activities

Tourism officials cautious about what federal rhetoric might do to international visitors’ interests

Orlando may make pitch for 2019 Major League Soccer All-Star Game

Orlando is the number one destination in the U.S.

Orange County approves Pro Bowl money

Orlando tourism: No mass cancellations now but future unsure

Hotel association, Orlando theme parks pitch for more Orange County tourism tax money