Tourism

The Focus

President Obama recently visited Disney World to tout his plan to relax visa requirements to allow for more foreign tourism. His message was on point: help bring more money to the Sunshine state. His policy needs to go beyond visa reform. The best way to boost tourism in Florida is to stop soaring gas prices and grow the economy, both of which he has failed to do.

The Facts

Gas prices are at a record high for January and are 28.5 cents per gallon higher than a year ago. And that’s expected to go even higher–some analysts predict that the national average for a gallon of regular unleaded could hit $4 to $4.25 per gallon by the spring.

Source: The Heritage Foundation

 

Under President Obama, oil and natural gas production on federal lands is down by more than 40 percent compared to 10 years ago, 2010 had the lowest number of leases issued for oil and gas production on federal lands since 1984, and the Administration held only one offshore lease sale in 2011.

Source: House Natural Resource Committee

 

For every 85 tourists, one job is created in the state of Florida

Source: Politifact

 

In 2010, 83.2 million visitors from other states and nations came to the Sunshine State. That's down from the 2007 peak of 84.5 million. That kind of drop in tourism hurts Florida's economy and sales-tax coffers.

Source: Journal Online

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