VISIT FLORIDA Official Media Newsroom

Topics: Corporate Information, International

VISIT FLORIDA® Announces Partnership with UK Children’s Publication

NEWS RELEASE TOPIC:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 16, 2008

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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (July 16, 2008) - VISIT FLORIDA, the state's official tourism marketing corporation, announces a new partnership with First News, the widest read weekly children's publication in Britain. First News is viewed as an essential resource within classrooms across the UK and is an entirely independent newspaper with backing and support from the Government. The goal of the partnership is to inspire the next generation of British families to explore and learn more about the amazing state of Florida.

Over the next year, First News will feature special sections focused on Florida’s eco-system and environment, science and space programs, animals and wildlife, world class entertainment, sports and unique history. To further support the partnership, VISIT FLORIDA will sponsor two issues of First News for Teachers, pointing teachers to the educational values of the special sections and offer suggestion on how they can use the information in the classroom.

"This collaborative effort was designed to further strengthen our ties to the UK market and encourage children in the UK to learn more about the world—Florida in particular," said Richard Goldman, Senior Vice President of Amelia Island Plantation and VISIT FLORIDA Chairman. "This opportunity only cements the wonderful relationship that has developed between UK travelers and the Florida travel industry. Through this partnership, VISIT FLORIDA is creating a new generation of Florida travelers—and may be inspiring the next generation of adventurers and travel writers."

As the only destination sponsor of First News, VISIT FLORIDA was inspired even further by creating a unique opportunity to students in the United Kingdom by creating an interactive promotion encouraging families to learn more about Florida together and an opportunity for one student at each school to win a Florida family vacation. Prize winners will write a travel article on their Florida vacation and selected stories will be published in First News as well.

"Reading is a not just a great escape, but it is also our most important tool for learning about people and places beyond our own backyards," said Tammy Gustafson, Planning and National Accounts Executive of Universal Orlando and VISIT FLORIDA Marketing Vice Chair. "In an effort to engage students, we must be as imaginative as their young minds."

The United Kingdom has a long history of being one of Florida's largest overseas markets. In 2007, Florida welcomed nearly 1.4 million travelers from the United Kingdom. VISIT FLORIDA greatly values this relationship and seeks to ensure that the Sunshine State continues to be a favorite travel destination for years to come.

VISIT FLORIDA is the official tourism marketing corporation for the state of Florida. VISIT FLORIDA promotes tourism to Florida through sales, advertising, promotions, public relations, new product development and visitor services programs. As a public/private partnership VISIT FLORIDA has more than 3,400 tourism industry Partners and four major strategic alliances with American Express Travel Related services, AirTran Airways, Dollar Rent A Car and The Hertz Corporation. To learn more about VISIT FLORIDA, visit www.VISITFLORIDA.org.