The Florida House took its first step toward killing two state agencies charged with promoting tourism and economic development, reports the Miami Herald (2/9/2017).
In subcommittee, Florida Republicans voted for a bill that would kill both agencies, block counties from spending local hotel tax money on stadiums for sports franchises, and end tax credits for film makers. It passed by a 10-5 vote, despite Gov. Rick Scott’s opposition.
Join us at next month’s eTourism LABS where presenter Will Seccombe, former CEO of Visit Florida, now founder, Revolution Strategy, is sharing his insights about what DMOs of all sizes need to focus on for success in the future.
UNFORESEEN PERILS OF SUCCESS: eTourism LABS | March 15, 2017
Visit Florida’s strategy drove visitation international and out-of-state visitors 82 million in 2010 to over 106 million over a six year period of record visitation. While delivering results by operating as a private business, distrust of government in an election year can place even the most successful private/public partnerships under the microscope of bureaucratic scrutiny, using programs such as Florida’s Pitbull influencer campaign as scapegoats that resulted in the resignations of three top senior executives, including Seccombe.
