FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Jennifer Fennell

May 8, 2017 (850) 222-3767

jennifer@coremessage.com

Statement By:
Gil Langley, Chairman, Florida Association of Destination Marketing Organizations
Regarding the 2017 Legislative Session

Along with the 1.4 million Floridians employed by the tourism industry, I am extremely disappointed in
the outcome of the 2017 Legislative Session. A $25 million budget for tourism marketing, coupled with a
wealth of bureaucratic red tape, hinders VISIT FLORIDAs ability to do its job. With only $25 million
dedicated to promoting our state, theres no way Florida can stay on the same playing field as states like
California. Not to mention, VISIT FLORIDAs efforts are what keeps tourists from flying over Florida to
Mexico, the Bahamas and now Cuba.

Lawmakers in Tallahassee neglected to consider the facts state and local tourism promotion is the only
reason Florida has been able to maintain its status as a top destination in the increasingly competitive
industry. Thanks to tourism, Florida brought in $108.8 billion in tourism-related spending in the last
fiscal year. Unfortunately, the Sunshine States future does not look as bright. With a 5 percent tourism
downturn, our state will lose more than $324 million in sales tax revenue and 70,000 jobs. Furthermore,
the funding reduction will have a disproportionate impact on small rural counties throughout the state
without the resources to market themselves, many of Floridas hidden gems will experience economic
harm.

Other states like Colorado, Washington and Pennsylvania serve as a warning of whats to come. Weve
seen this same scenario play out in other states, and the end results is always the same: state revenue
goes down, people lose their jobs and that states market share goes down.

Although a 67 percent funding reduction and a new stringent structure are an enormous setback for our
industry, we will continue to advocate for tourism promotion in the months leading up to the 2018
Session. As Legislators watch while jobs are lost, small businesses are harmed, and tax revenue is
diminished, I hope they will rectify their mistake next year.

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