WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH---THE TOUGH TAKE VACATIONS

South Florida tourism is taking a pro-active approach to attracting visitors to our tropical paradise. Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International airports, entertainment arenas and cruise lines have all taken steps to make the idea of vacationing here even sweeter.

A recent article in South Florida Business Journal cites that the leaders of Virgin America Airways had been eyeing South Florida as a destination, and chose to debut at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport due to the city’s centralized location. This same airport expects a 1-1.5 percent year-over-year increase in air passenger traffic for September, showing Fort Lauderdale’s strength as a destination city and the airline carriers’ faith in putting seats into this destination. In addition, by ensuring lower operations costs, the airport attracts and keeps low-cost carriers such as JetBlue, Virgin, Spirit Airlines and Southwest Airlines.

Major events coming to South Florida, such as the Pro Bowl and the Super Bowl are also expected to enhance tourism here. The former Dolphin Stadium renovated as Land Shark Stadium, now owned by Jimmy Buffet, has enhanced the area's attractiveness for entertaining and sports events. To quote the stadium’s website: “Our mission is to be recognized both nationally and internationally as the premier sports and entertainment showplace in the Americas.” For more information on the new stadium, visit: http://www.landsharkstadium.com/content/stadium.aspx.

Despite cruise lines experiencing a drop in passengers, deep discounts continue to keep cruise ships departing South Florida at capacity. Fort Lauderdale based MSC Cruises (USA) has doubled North American passengers every year since 2003. Royal Caribbean’s 5400 passenger ship, Oasis of the Seas, the largest cruise ship ever built, is expected in Port Everglades in November, clearly showing the cruise line’s confidence in South Florida.

Whether as a destination city for vacation, business or a planned relocation, Fort Lauderdale remains strong as the tropical site to live, work and play.