Notes from the Capitol: Governor Crist Announces “Back to the Beach” Tourism Advertising Campaign

Courtesy photo

Here is Gov. Charlie Crist's weekly "Notes from the Capitol" for July 30, 2010:

Dear Friends,

Our tourism industry is vital to the Sunshine State’s economic security, and we must do all we can to help the businesses harmed by this summer’s oil spill. For that reason, I was honored to announce this week that $700,000 will go towards speeding the economic recovery for Florida’s hospitality industry affected by the oil spill. The advertising campaign, dubbed “Back to the Beach
– ‘Fall Back into Summer,’” will encourage participation in fishingtournaments, concerts, a songwriter’s festival and seafood festivals to promote Florida seafood.

The 10,000 members of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association will lend their expertise in grassroots marketing to the advertising and marketing efforts of VISIT FLORIDA and the local tourist development councils to promote local and regional events during the upcoming months. FRLA will also
work to expand VISIT FLORIDA’s ‘Share a Little Sunshine’ campaign, which offers Florida residents online tools to easily extend a personal invitation to out-of-state friends and family, encouraging them to visit the Sunshine State.

At the ‘Share a Little Sunshine’ Web site, [28]www.ShareaLittleSunshine.org, Floridians and visitors will learn how they can send custom e-mail postcards to friends and family directly from the site. Each invitation carries information about special offers in the sender’s geographic area. The ‘Share a Little
Sunshine’ Web site will also promote deals eligible at coastal hotels.

I applaud our dedicated and friendly hoteliers and restaurateurs for their work to create a great getaway experience for traveling Floridians, as well as out-of-state and international visitors.

God bless,

Charlie Crist