WORLD PROPERTY CHANNEL ®

(News Source: Visit Florida)

(TALLAHASSEE, FL) -- VISIT FLORIDA, the official tourism marketing corporation for the State of Florida, estimated 20.1 million people visited the Sunshine State during the second quarter of 2009 (April-June), reflecting a 9.4 percent decrease over the same period last year.

Ed Fouché

"As consumers respond to economic uncertainty, some are still reluctant to spend money on travel," said Ed Fouché, Chairman of the VISIT FLORIDA Board of Directors and Senior Vice President of Travel Industry Sales for Disney Destinations, LLC.   "However, we are optimistic that more people will begin traveling again and are encouraged, despite a challenging economy, by the more than 20 million travelers that visited our state in the second quarter."

An 8.0 percent decrease in overseas visitors to Florida has been projected for the second quarter of 2009 compared to the second quarter of 2008.  However, preliminary estimates show Canadian travel to Florida is up by 5.2 percent during the quarter, which included an increase in both air and non-air visitors.

"While we are encouraged by the increase in Canadian travel, we remain cautious and continue to expect 2009 to be extremely challenging," said Christopher L. Thompson, President and Chief Executive Officer of VISIT FLORIDA.  "While Florida's tourism is not immune to a difficult economy, we are solidly positioned to deal with the challenges ahead."

Primary data collected at Florida's 14 major airports in the second quarter of 2009 reflect a 7.2 percent decrease in total enplanements from the same period in 2008.

"We have a clear strategy and expect it will enable us to emerge from the economic downturn in a position of strength," said Thompson.

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