TALLAHASSEE — VISIT FLORIDA is launching a hurricane response marketing plan “to invite visitors back to the Sunshine State in a responsible way”, where the focus is on marketing on unaffected areas while providing real-time information and updates on locations that continue to strengthen every day, says VISIT FLORIDA President & CEO, Ken Lawson.
While several communities sustained serious damage from Hurricane Irma, many areas of Florida did not see significant impacts, he noted.
VISIT FLORIDA has been in touch with the state’s Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs) “to get a county-by-county damage assessment and to review plans to best promote our state to visitors”, says Lawson.
“The vast majority of DMOs were happy to report that their destination is open for business. The areas of our state that were more impacted are rebuilding and planning to reopen as soon as possible.”
Lawson says VISIT FLORIDA’s post-hurricane marketing plan will provide “an authentic view” of Florida to assist potential visitors as they make travel plans. Campaign tactics will be digitally focused with a series of true-view videos from destinations across the state – “an aggressive push to energize our Share a Little Sunshine advocates to share real-time images of the state with #LoveFL”, as well as customized plans to support the communities that were directly impacted by Hurricane Irma.
VISIT FLORIDA continues to share real-time travel safety updates at its Florida Now page at its website, visitflorida.com. Local DMOs are also updating their websites to serve as a post-hurricane information resource.
“The Florida tourism industry has recovered from many storms over the years, and I have no doubt that our communities and our state will quickly rebound from Hurricane Irma as well,” said Lawson.
In Miami, the Greater Miami CVB has kicked off its #MiamiNow campaign with discounts and deals for visitors. The new destination-wide promotion supports local businesses and jobs offering savings throughout Miami and the Beaches now until Oct. 31.
Miami and the Beaches is open for business following minimal impact from Hurricane Irma this past week, says the CVB.
#MiamiNow unites 6 of the 12 top GMCVB Temptations Programs: Miami Spice, Miami Spa, Miami Hotel, Miami Attractions, Miami Museums and Shop Miami Month.
The program offers a variety of deals, providing tremendous value on hotels, restaurants, spas, museums, attractions and shopping. “There has never been a better time to visit, or better destination-wide savings,” says the CVB.
#MiamiNow features include:
DINE: The much-loved Miami Spice Restaurant Month has been extended through Oct. 31 with nearly 200 restaurants participating. Highlighting Greater Miami and The Beaches’ diverse culinary scene, Miami Spice restaurants will continue offering reduced prices (US$23 per person for lunch and brunch / $39 per person for dinner) in some of the hottest neighborhoods in town.
STAY: Many hotels are extending special offers through Oct. 31 as part of the #MiamiNow promotion. Hotels throughout the destination from Miami Beach, Downtown Miami, Coconut Grove, Coral Gables, Sunny Isles Beach and more are offering promotional rates and special amenity packages. A few of the hotel participants include: Loews Miami Beach Hotel, Fontainebleau Miami Beach, Ritz-Carlton South Beach, Coconut Grove and Bal Harbour properties, Sonesta Coconut Grove Miami, Marenas Beach Resort Sunny Isles Beach, The Biltmore Hotel Coral Gables, EPIC Hotel, Four Season Hotel Miami and Mandarin Oriental Miami.
PAMPER: Miami Spa Month is back with more than 25 spas offering exclusive treatments at $109 and $139, with select spas offering treatments for $199.
SHOP: Miami’s most popular malls, marketplaces, boutiques, restaurants and hotels will be offering incentives across different retailers.
ARTS & ATTRACTIONS: Many Miami and the Beaches attractions and museum are rolling out special Miami Now offers and buy-one-get-one-free admissions.
“We are proud of our local tourism industry for being among the first in the destination to raise their hand to keep the community moving forward,” says William D. Talbert, III, C.D.M.E. “Tourism is the number one industry in Miami-Dade County and the #MiamiNow promotion celebrates the best of Miami’s tourism industry across many sectors while welcoming visitors from near and far for some of the best value driven offers the destination has ever seen.”
For a complete listing of all the #Miami Now special offers, visit MiamiandtheBeaches.com. For a live look at Greater Miami and the Beaches, see the webcams at SeeMiamiLive.com.
