TAMPA, Fla. – Today, Governor Rick Scott announced that Florida set another record by welcoming the highest number of visitors of any six months in the state’s history with 60.7 million visitors, according to VISIT FLORIDA. This represents a 4.1 percent increase over the same period in 2016, and includes 53.2 million domestic visitors, 5.3 million overseas visitors and 2.2 million Canadian visitors.

Governor Scott said, “I am proud to announce today that Florida has continued its record breaking success by welcoming more than 60 million visitors to our state over the first half of 2017- the highest number of visitors of any six months in our state’s history. This means back-to-back record quarters for our state. Now, with the investments made in VISIT FLORIDA during this year’s Special Legislative Session, we can continue to break records and work toward our goal of 120 million visitors this year. Florida’s booming tourism industry supports 1.4 million jobs across the state, and I know that VISIT FLORIDA and their many local partners are continuing to focus on breaking more records in order to help create even more opportunities for our families.”

VISIT FLORIDA estimates that a record 29.9 million visitors traveled to Florida in the second quarter of 2017 (April-June), an increase of 6.8 percent over the same period last year. This Q2 number breaks down to 26.4 million domestic visitors, 2.6 million overseas visitors and 899,000 Canadians coming to Florida. Total enplanements at Florida’s 18 major airports in Q2 2017 increased 6.1 percent over the same period the previous year, with a record 22.8 million enplaned passengers. The number of hotel rooms sold in Florida during quarter two of 2017 grew by 4.2 percent compared to quarter two 2016. During the same period, Florida’s average daily room rate (ADR) increased by 4.0 percent and occupancy by 2.5 percent.

Ken Lawson, President and CEO of VISIT FLORIDA, said, “With more than 60 million visitors to the state so far this year, this is an exciting and historic time for the Florida tourism industry. VISIT FLORIDA is committed to continuing to create cutting-edge marketing programs for our industry partners of all sizes that showcase the state to visitors and help make Florida the number one vacation destination in the world.”

The Florida Aquarium President and CEO Roger Germann said, “I am proud to join Governor Scott for this exciting announcement today. Our team at The Florida Aquarium welcomes hundreds of thousands of Tampa Bay residents and guests from around the world every year, and we are incredibly proud of our economic and educational impact in the community and our state. I look forward to working with Governor Scott, VISIT FLORIDA and our partners across the state to continue Florida’s thriving tourism industry and create even more opportunities at The Florida Aquarium.”

The Florida Aquarium Chief Operating Officer Scott Rose said, “The news that Florida tourism has had another record quarter and the biggest six months in our history is no surprise to me. Florida is an incredible state with so many things to see and experience, especially right here in Tampa Bay, including The Florida Aquarium. Our partnership with VISIT FLORIDA contributes significantly to our success and we look forward to continuing to work with them to share our mission and vision with others.”

Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association President and CEO Carol Dover said, “Florida continues to set record tourism numbers, which supports our economy and the 1.4 million industry jobs across the state. As ambassadors of Florida’s tourism industry, we will continue to work diligently to attract even more visitors to enjoy our incredible state. The Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association is proud to be a champion of the tourism industry and honored to share Florida’s world-renowned hospitality with residents and visitors alike.”

Mise en Place President and CEO Maryann Ferenc said, “Six consecutive years of record visitation and now two more record quarters to start off the year do not happen by accident. It’s the result of really smart marketing by VISIT FLORIDA and the entire Florida tourism industry. Now is the time for all of us – big, small, public, private, DMO, commercial entity – to work together so that we can achieve our goal of 120 million visitors this year and make Florida the number one travel destination in the world.”

Madame Tussauds Orlando Senior Trade Sales Manager and Board Chair of the Florida Attractions Association Nick Romeo said, “With another quarter of record visitation numbers, it’s clear to see why Florida is a top worldwide destination. Florida’s world-class attractions play an important role in bringing people here, and we are working every day to market ourselves more aggressively. We look forward to continuing to work with VISIT FLORIDA to set more records and make Florida the number one global destination.”

To view additional Florida visitor data, go the Research page on VISIT FLORIDA’s media website.

*Preliminary estimates are issued 45 days after the end of each calendar quarter. Final estimates are released when final data are received for all estimates in the report.

(Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA) is proud to present its annual Marketing + Operations Summit, scheduled for Wednesday, August 2 and Thursday, August 3 at the Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa. The two-day event is designed to spotlight hospitality industry leaders who have instituted best practices in their own companies and introduce innovative business trends to increase sales and customer satisfaction. Featured presenters from Union Square Hospitality Group, Technomic, Bloomin’ Brands, Coca-Cola, Duffy’s Sports Grill, Firehouse Subs, Marriott, Miller’s Ale House, Snagajob, Tijuana Flats, World of Beer and Wyndham will share marketing and operation tips and techniques on how to manage your restaurant or hotel more effectively.

“This is a unique opportunity for our colleagues in hospitality to engage with powerful industry leaders, learn innovative techniques and interact with creative suppliers. This Marketing + Operations Summit is a must-attend event, designed to help businesses keep their finger on the pulse of what’s hot in hospitality,” said Carol Dover, President and CEO of the FRLA.

For a full schedule of events, please click here. Media is invited to attend portions of the two-day event and asked to contact FRLA Press Secretary, Erin Power at epower@FRLA.org or 407-432-6400 for confirmation.

WHEN:

Wednesday, August 2, 2017

10:00 AM – 5:00 PM       Registration + Information Desk Open

10:00 AM – 12:00 PM     Coffee + Networking

12:00 PM                         Lunch Begins

12:30 – 12:45 PM            Welcoming Remarks 

12:45 – 1:45 PM              Keynote Speaker: Erin Moran, Chief Culture Officer, Union Square Hospitality Group 

                                        “Creating a Corporate Culture That Loves to Innovate”

2:00 – 5:15 PM                Breakout Educational Sessions

5:30 – 6:45 PM                Hospitality Happy Hour

Thursday, August 3, 2017

8:00 AM – 12:00 PM        Registration + Information Desk Open

8:00 – 8:30 AM                Breakfast 

8:30 – 9:15 AM                Keynote Speaker: Jim Knight, Founder, Knight Speaker 

                                         “Hiring Rock Stars”                

9:30 AM – 12:00 PM        Breakout Educational Sessions

12:15 – 12:45 PM            Keynote Presentation: Align Public Strategies, Recording of Working Lunch Podcast

Moderators

Joe Kefauver, Managing Partner, Align Public Strategies

Franklin Coley, Partner, Align Public Strategies

Sean Kelly, Host, Working Lunch

Presenters

Lino Maldonado, VP of Operations for Gulf Region, Wyndham Vacation Rentals

Dave Reid, COO, World of Beer

Joe Kadow, EVP Chief Legal Officer, Bloomin’ Brand

12:45 – 1:15 PM             Wrap-up Summit + Closing Remark

View the detailed agenda, including details regarding the breakout sessions here.

WHERE:

Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa

3030 Holiday Drive

Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316

COST:

Pre-Registration: $199

At the Door: $22

Ticket price includes two lunches, breakfast, and hospitality happy-hour reception. Hotel accommodations not included. Seating is limited

For registration and additional information, please visit: http://frla.org/event/summit/. To see photos from last year’s event please click here or to view a video, click here. Additionally, be sure to follow this event live on social media by searching for #FRLASummit.

(Orlando, Fla.)  – The City of Orlando and Orange County Government, in a collaboration with Pulse, has proclaimed June 12, 2017, as “Orlando United Day – A Day of Love and Kindness.”

On that day, Orlando After-School All-Stars is partnering with the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association’s Central Florida Chapter to host “Round Up For Kids” to help fund the Summer of Dreams program. This free 10-week program provides homeless youth with meals, academic enrichment and mentoring.

“Engaging in Acts of Love and Kindness on June 12 is a respectful, meaningful and deeply loving way to remember and honor the lives of those who were lost too soon,” said Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer. “One year later, I still believe the Pulse tragedy will not define us, but will bring us together.”

Some of Orlando’s best restaurants are making it easy for you to contribute on June 12, 2017. When you dine at any of the restaurants listed here, http://orlandoasas.org/round-up-for-kids/ round up your check to the nearest dollar amount and let your server know you want to Round Up For Kids. The change you donate will help change lives.

“Florida’s hospitality industry is proud to lend its unequivocal support to assist homeless youth in Central Florida. FRLA encourages patrons to dine at participating restaurants and to round up their tabs for children in need,” said Carol Dover, President and CEO of FRLA.

Last summer, Summer of Dreams served 1,137 homeless students from 36 different sites in Orange, Seminole and Osceola Counties. Each of those students received academic enrichment, tutoring, mentoring, financial literacy training, a back pack filled with school supplies and two meals a day thanks to support from Summer of Dreams Founding Sponsor, Fifth Third Bank. Those students also worked with staff to provide nearly 8,000 hours of community service.

Barb Scherer, Sr. Vice President/Communications from Fifth Third Bank added, “We are pleased to be sponsoring our seventh year of Summer of Dreams. This program is so critical to provide support for homeless children during the summer gap when there is little access to meals. To partner with the City of Orlando, After School All-Stars, FRLA and area restaurants to honor the Pulse tragedy on Orlando United Day by helping these kids is the ultimate act of love, kindness and generosity. Fifth Third Bank is proud to be a part of the Orlando community.”

Learn how to get involved here.

(Tallahassee, Fla.) – The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA) applauds today’s announcement by Florida Governor Rick Scott recommending a $24 million increase in the state’s investment in VISIT FLORIDA. This funding amount is in addition to the Governor’s $76 million recommendation and would allocate a total of $100 million for the state’s destination marketing corporation in the budget for fiscal year 2017-2018. 

“We are extremely grateful for the Governor’s continued leadership and foresight to increase the state’s investment in Florida’s tourism industry. This announcement comes at a critical time when lawmakers are proposing dramatic cuts to VISIT FLORIDA’s budget. Florida’s economy depends on visitors selecting the Sunshine State as their leading destination. By providing VISIT FLORIDA with the tools necessary to boost visitation, we’re injecting tourist spending into local businesses and promoting job creation across all sectors of the state’s economy,” said Carol Dover, President and CEO of the FRLA. 

According to the Office of Economic Demographic Research’s Return on Investment study of VISIT FLORIDA, for every $1 the state invests in VISIT FLORIDA, the state sees a $3.20 return. In 2016, Florida welcomed a record number of tourists with 112.8 million visitors to the state.

The FRLA represents and serves more than 10,000 independent and household name members across the state, including hotels, restaurants, theme parks and attractions.