Gov Bush and FL Recognized by Tourism Industry for Post-9/11 Response [Nat'l convention honors Jeb]

Gov Bush and FL Recognized by Tourism Industry for Post-9/11 Response

-- Gov Bush Touts Florida's Tourism Rebound to International Tourism Industry in New Orleans --

For Immediate Release
Wednesday, May 29, 2002

Contact:
Elizabeth Hirst
(850) 488-5394
or David Bishop
(850) 487-2568

NEW ORLEANS -- Governor Jeb Bush today heralded the Florida tourism industry's major rebound following the terrorist attacks of September 11.

Speaking at the Travel Industry Association of America's (TIA) 34th annual International Pow-Wow in New Orleans, the world's premier tourism gathering, Governor Bush received an award of appreciation from TIA recognizing the model response by Florida following the tragic events of September 11. The Governor praised the Florida-based partnership that led to a quick recovery, and commended the 5000 worldwide delegates in attendance for their contributions to rebuilding tourism in the United States.

"As the number one travel destination in the world, last year's drop-off in tourism hit Florida like no other state-necessitating a highly strategic response to resurrect our industry," said Governor Bush. "Paramount to our success was the tremendous and unprecedented partnership that quickly came together between state, local, and industry leaders. And, while we have not completely returned to pre-September 11 numbers, the fruits of our combined labor demonstrate that Florida's tourism industry is back in the game and preparing for a great summer ahead!"

According to http://www.flausa.com/index.phpVISIT FLORIDA, the state's official tourism marketing organization, an estimated 18 million visitors came to Florida during the first quarter of 2002. While that represents a 4.5 percent decrease from the previous year, it is a marked improvement from the 19 percent decline in visitors during the last quarter of 2001.

"Florida's sunny environment, healthy economic future and rebounding tourism put our state in better shape than most to lead the country's economic recovery," said House Speaker Tom Feeney.

Florida has been aggressive in helping its number one industry rebound from the impact of September 11. Last year, the Governor and Legislature approved a $20 million strategic marketing plan aimed to expediently revive Florida's tourism industry. The state's portion of the investment was matched with an additional $25 million by the private sector. By request of the tourism industry, the Governor also appeared in television-based public service announcements to promote in-state travel by Floridians and traveled to key regions throughout the United States to promote the Sunshine State.

"After September 11, our state government recognized the importance of the travel industry and moved decisively to provide assistance," said Fred Lounsberry, Senior Vice President at Universal Studios Florida and TIA National Chair. "By working together, this public-private partnership breathed new life into our state's economy, and our industry has made significant rebounds since last fall."

"Americans are beginning to return to their normal activities and for millions of people that includes a trip to Florida," said Governor Bush. "Whether traveling for spring break, enjoying a spring training baseball game, catching some sunshine on our miles and miles of pristine white sand beaches, or enjoying one of our many attractions, visitors from all over America and the world are boosting Florida's tourism industry."

The most recent Memorial Day holiday weekend continued to show signs of improvement. According to numbers tabulated by http://www.flausa.com/index.phpVISIT FLORIDA, 41,140 people stopped at one of Florida's four highway welcome centers - an eight percent increase over Memorial Day 2001.

Thanks for your terrific post #4, Joe! :)

BTW, here is the entire AP article from the link in my post #5 above:

Attack: Gov. Bush tapes pro-tourism public service announcement

Tuesday, October 2, 2001

By MIKE BRANOM, Associated Press

ORLANDO — Florida Gov. Jeb Bush taped a pitch Monday urging fellow Floridians to visit attractions in their own state to help a vital tourism industry stave off a ruinous fallout from last month's terror attacks.

"Show the world why the perfect family vacation is right here in Florida," Bush, dressed in an orange polo shirt and casual trousers, said in a poolside taping at the Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Orlando.

He did it again in Spanish, then went into Universal Studios to tape more of the pro-tourism public service announcement in both languages.

The public service spot, titled "Explore Our Home State," should hit the airwaves across Florida in a week, according to officials from Visit Florida, the state's tourism agency.

The ads are part of a $2 million campaign Visit Florida is putting together to attract tourists to Florida following the attacks.

Bush acknowledged that it is very unusual for a top elected official to get personally involved in promoting tourism. But he added that it was necessary after attending the Florida Commission on Tourism's meeting the week after the attacks.

"The feeling of despair at that gathering was very understandable, but the call was for me, personally, to get engaged," Bush said. "It was clear that we needed to act quickly."

Florida's financial health depends heavily on tourism, which has taken a near-crippling blow following the Sept. 11 suicide bombings in New York and Washington, D.C.

Tourism accounts for more than $50 billion, or more than 10 percent, of Florida's $450 billion economy and directly employs more than 874,000 people. The state is second only to California in the number of tourists who visit.

Kimberly Goosmann, a hair stylist from St. Augustine vacationing at the Hard Rock Hotel with a friend, said the "Explore Our Home State" campaign would work for her.

"There's so much to do in Florida, and that's why I love this state," Goosmann, 32, said as she sunbathed by the pool, near where Bush was being filmed. "We have so much to do here, why do we even need to leave the state?"

Bush noted that tourists bringing money into the state is only half the battle. Florida also needs to ensure tourism-based companies continue to invest in theme parks, hotels, airports and convention centers.

"We need to defend that," Bush said. "This is a temporary problem that requires quick action."

However, theme parks and hotels are laying off workers and cutting back workers' hours as out-of-state visitors stay home, still too spooked by the memories of the attacks to board planes.

On Saturday, Bush showed his willingness to resume flying with a daylong jaunt from Tallahassee to Boston and Chicago. In those cities, the governor tried to sell Florida's balmy winter weather to the Northerners and Midwesterners.

But the public-service announcement and the personal sales pitches are only small parts of how Bush is dealing with the looming financial crisis.

Bush plans to call the Legislature into a special session because of a budget shortfall. He also is considering a suggestion from the Governor's Council of Economic Advisors, which would have state government speed up road and school-building projects as a way of priming the fiscal pump.

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