Visit Florida extension plan gets support

TALLAHASSEE — A proposal to extend the life of Visit Florida got support last week in the House, where the state’s tourist-marketing agency has faced skepticism in past years.

The House Tourism, Infrastructure & Energy Subcommittee voted 17-0 to advance a proposal (HB 489) by Rep. Linda Chaney, R-St. Pete Beach, that would authorize Visit Florida to continue operating until Oct. 1, 2028. Under current law, the agency would have to stop operating Oct. 1, 2023, if the “sunset” date is not extended.

The proposal is opposed by the conservative group Americans for Prosperity-Florida, which contends the marketing agency isn’t a “core function” of the state.

“The goal of government is even more important now as our nation and our state looks to move forward from the economic effects of COVID-19,” Americans for Prosperity-Florida Policy Director Phillip Suderman said. “Florida is ready to move forward and create real opportunity. Prosperity comes when government gets out of the way and lets the individuals of Florida create new and innovative products that make all of our lives better.”

Chaney said Visit Florida is using “methodical and research-driven” marketing to promote Florida against other states. “Although (tourists) may go to some of these larger brands, they end up at the cupcake shop,” Chaney said. “If their car breaks down … they are at the smaller businesses. And that’s because they are in the state of Florida to begin with.”

A bill (SB 434) that would extend Visit Florida’s operations until Oct. 1, 2031, has cleared one Senate committee.