FRLA’s 2014 Summer Board Meeting a Success!
We would like to thank all of our sponsors and attendees for a spectacular summer board meeting last week at The Breakers in Palm Beach!
Newsletter Category: Hospitality Hotline
May 30, 2014
Scott Keeps Sights On 100 Million Florida Tourists
(Source: News Service of Florida)
Gov. Rick Scott is still pushing for 100 million tourists this year, even though lawmakers gave him less than three-fourths of the money he said was needed to reach that goal. VISIT FLORIDA, the state’s tourism arm, estimated that Florida attracted 26.7 million visitors in the first quarter of the year, a 2 percent increase from the same period a year ago.For all of 2013, the state welcomed an estimated 94.7 million tourists, about a 3.5 percent increase over 2012.
May 15, 2014
Governor Scott Signs CST Bill
This week, FRLA is pleased to announce that Governor Rick Scott signed the hospitality industry’s bill on the Communications Services Tax.Approximately two years ago, the Department of Revenue (DOR) started sending out negative audits to hotel companies around the state resulting in tax bills for communications services over the internet that had never been collected before. These “CST” audits were completed without notice to the industry or the public and the inconsistent auditing process, caused uncertainty and confusion in the hospitality industry. After eighteen months of working with the DOR with no resolution, legislation became necessary. With recommendations from the Department of Revenue, HB 803, provided the necessary clarification that certain communications over the internet, especially between a franchisor and franchisee, does not make hotels a communications service provider.
February 20, 2014
Another Record Year for Florida Tourism!
Governor Rick Scott announced that according to preliminary estimates* released by VISIT FLORIDA – the state’s official tourism marketing corporation – 94.7 million visitors came to Florida in 2013, an increase of 3.5 percent over 2012. This represents a record year for visitation to Florida, exceeding the previous high of 91.5 million in 2012. The number of direct travel-related jobs in 2013 was also a record high, with 1,088,200 Floridians employed in the tourism industry – up 2.9 percent from 2012
February 6, 2014
Carol Dover: Gulf’s Resources Must Belong to All of Us
Florida’s seafood industry and sportfishing are each important to the state’s heritage and economy. They contribute billions of dollars in economic activity and sustain tens of thousands of jobs. We should not have to choose one at the expense of the other
January 23, 2014
Carol Dover: Restaurant Industry Expected to Post Growth in 2014
Florida restaurants are among the top in the nation, creating more employment opportunities for families and multiplying choices for consumers across the state. The industry is expected to post 4.5 percent sales growth in 2014 to reach more than $34.6 billion in sales according to the National Restaurant Association’s recently released 2014 Restaurant Industry Forecast.
January 9, 2014
FRLA Installs 2014 Executive Committee at Annual Winter Board Meeting
The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association announced the 2014 Executive Committee at our annual Gala and Awards Dinner held Tuesday evening, January 7, 2014. The installation ceremony was held during FRLA’s Winter Board Meeting January 6 – 8, 2014 at The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, Florida.