Scott referred to Visit Florida, the state’s tourism bureau, and the agency’s estimate that 54.1 million tourists visited Florida between January and June, up 5.8 percent over the same time in 2014.
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Gov. Rick Scott announced Wednesday at the Miami global Airport that preliminary figures for the first half of 2015 show 45.7 million domestic visitors, 5.5 million overseas visitors and 2.9 million Canadians have come to the Sunshine State.
Visit Florida Chairman John Tomlin said the state has been working on keeping tourism records increasing for over a half decade.
Tourism and recreation taxable sales for Florida increased in the first five months of the year, representing a 9 percent increase over the same period in 2014.
“This continued growth does not happen by accident. We are fortunate to have a Governor and Legislature that support our industry and VISIT FLORIDA so that we can continue to share the extraordinary stories of the people and places of our state with the world”. As budget negotiations were drawing to a close, House and Senate leadership were considering between $25 and $30 million for the state’s Economic Development Toolkit. The average daily room rate was up 8.3 percent to $113.11. In July, the county experienced a 44 percent increase in bed tax collections over the same month past year and more than 22 percent higher than the previous record in July 2012.
Scott requested the Florida Legislature for $85 million this yr, however legislators put aside about half that quantity throughout a contentious particular session the place legislators have been divided over well being care and the state price range.
Enterprise Florida says the escrow money is paid as companies meet job-creation deadlines, and after accounting for all pending job deals, it actually has only $9 million on hand.
Johnson’s bonus is part of a $765,000 total that will be spread out among 79 employees at the economic-development agency, which receives state and private funding. “That’s great news for our community and for our state”. Speaking to business leaders at an Enterprise Florida board meeting in Ponte Vedra Beach, Scott voiced frustration with lawmakers. Not if you want to have money in the tool kit.
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“Florida’s outstanding attractions and iconic destinations have a lot to be proud of, and this record second quarter means we are on track for what is sure to be another stellar year”, said Bill Lupfer, Member of the VISIT FLORIDA Board of Directors and President & CEO of the Florida Attractions Association. Governor Scott said without the state dollars it’s hard to create jobs.
