Florida Tourism News

2012 marks second consecutive record year for Florida Tourism
Governor Scott announced today that according to preliminary estimates* released by VISIT FLORIDA - the state’s official tourism marketing corporation – 89.3 million visitors came to Florida in 2012, an increase of 2.3 percent over 2011. This represents a record year for visitation to Florida, exceeding the previous high of 87.3 million in 2011.

Florida Keys launches ‘Live Chat’ website feature
The Florida Keys & Key West tourism council has launched a new “live chat” communications tool on its website

World’s largest Legoland set for October opening
The world’s largest Legoland is on track to open in Florida this autumn, and become the group’s fifth park, following other openings in Denmark, Germany, the UK and California. Legoland Florida, a 150-acre site in Cypress Gardens, will have more than 50 rides, show and attractions.

British tourist saves baby from certain death
A baby girl has survived a fall from the fourth floor of a hotel balcony in Orlando, Florida thanks to a British tourist who caught her just before she hit the ground.
“Wrong turn” could have led to tourist murders in Florida
The two British tourists shot dead in a Florida ghetto could have taken a wrong turn whilst trying to find a 24-hour diner on foot, according to the police. Detectives described it as “very possible” that the tourists, under the influence of alcohol, could have easily “lost their bearings”, taken a wrong turn, and ended up in streets of Newtown, a notorious housing project.
Boy to appear in court over UK tourist deaths
A 16-year-old American boy is due in court later over the murders of two British holidaymakers in Florida. Shawn Tyson was arrested in connection with the deaths of James Kouzaris from Northampton and James Cooper of Warwick.
Boy charged with killing two British tourists in Florida
A 16-year-old boy has been arrested and charged with the suspected killing of two British tourists in Florida. The bodies of the victims were found peppered with bullets in a deprived residential area renowned for gang violence.

Underwater music festival hits the right note in the Florida Keys
In the Florida Keys, things happen a bit differently than they do in the rest of the world and that includes music festivals.
Florida’s summer “saved” by BP donations
Florida tourism officials have credited a $32 million fund donated by BP to encourage holidaymakers to visit despite the Gulf of Mexico oil spill for “saving the summer”. New figures show that visitor numbers to the state rose during the first months of the crisis, which tourism officials credit to an advertising funded by a $32 million donation from BP.
Obama swims in the Gulf to back tourism
Barack Obama has waded into the debate over whether it is safe to swim in the Gulf of Mexico following the BP oil disaster by taking his nine-year-old daughter for a swim whilst on a family trip to the Florida resort of Panama City.
BP refuses Florida request for $50m ad campaign
A spat has broken out between BP and Florida’s tourism industry after the oil giant’s refusal to inject a further $50 million to encourage travellers to visit the Sunshine State.