Gov. Rick Scott announced on Friday, June 2, that he plans to veto proposed funding cuts to state tourism bureau, Visit Florida, and call for a return to the previous year’s budget of $76 million.
On Monday, May 8, the Florida Legislature passed an $82.4 billion state budget that would reduce Visit Florida’s annual budget to $25 million. Originally Gov. Scott pushed for a $100 million budget in 2017.
U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Roger Dow reacted positively to the news.
“We’re very encouraged that steps are in motion to restore Visit Florida to a full or near-full funding level in the new state budget,” Dow said in a statement released on the U.S. Travel website. “We’re grateful to Gov. Scott and to the millions of Floridians whose livelihoods depend on travel for this hard-fought outcome that maintains adequate resources to continue Florida’s tourism marketing efforts.
“Those who think that Florida’s robust tourism economy happens by accident or divine right are ignoring a wealth of data that states that cut tourism promotion funding inevitably see their tourism income plummet—and it takes years or decades to recover their market share even after they realize their mistake. Speaking as a Florida resident, I will be relieved beyond words if next week’s special legislative session yields a result that prevents our state from having to learn that lesson the hard way.”
More information on Gov. Scott’s planned veto is available at The Florida Times-Union website.
