Florida Governor Rick Scott was in Toronto this week, along with Florida's First Lady, Ann Scott, Ken Lawson, president, Visit Florida, and Susan Harper, Canadian Consul General in Miami, as part of his ongoing tourism and trade mission to Canada. While in town, Governor Scott announced a new Canadian Power Play programme which aims to attract more Canadian visitors to Florida. The programme aims to make it more affordable for Canadian families to travel to the state by offering Canadians discounts of up to 20 per cent off package travel deals from VISIT FLORIDA partners.

“I’m proud to announce the Canadian Power Play Program, which will help make it more affordable for Canadians to travel to Florida.” said Governor Scott. “With discounts on flights, car rentals and travel accommodations, more Canadians will be able to enjoy all the Sunshine State has to offer.”

The announcement comes following a decline in Canadian visitors to Florida in recent years which is likely due to the weakness of the Canadian dollar against the US dollar.

However, Canada remains Florida’s number one international market, with 3.3 million Canadians traveling to Florida in 2016, accounting for 23 per cent of Florida’s international visitors. The timing of the announcement of the programme comes during VISIT FLORIDA’s ongoing Canadian Power Play marketing campaign at a time when many Canadians begin planning for winter trips. 40 per cent of Florida’s Canadian visitors travel to the state between January and March.

“Canada is Florida’s top international market, and we are doubling down on our efforts to bring more Canadians to the Sunshine State with our new Canadian Power Play Program.” said Lawson. “By allowing Canadian consumers to take advantage of discounts from our great partners, we are making it easier than ever for them to book a trip to Florida. With our Canadian Power Play Program, Florida Day in Toronto, and our Canadian Power Play marketing campaign this week, we are showing Canada why Florida is the best place in the world to travel.”

“As Florida’s number one international tourist market, Canada is so important to Florida’s tourism industry and the 1.4 million jobs it supports for families across our state.” Governor Scott continued. “We will keep working every day to attract 120 million visitors this year and make Florida the number one global destination.”

The travel deals, available for Canadians on the LoveFlorida.ca website, are being offered by 26 six Florida businesses and other tourism partners who are participating in the Canadian Power Play programme. The 26 companies participating in the programme are:

- Air Canada

- Air Canada Vacations

- An Owners Dream Management

- Beachwalk Resort

- Beacon South Beach Hotel

- Blue Heron Beach Resort

- Caprice Resort

- Coca-Cola Orlando Eye

- DoubleTree Orlando at SeaWorld

- Emerald Grande

- Florida Citrus Sports

- Hampton Inn Panama City Beach

- HCV Orange Lake Resort

- Hertz/Dollar Car Rental

- Madeira Bay Resort by TRS

- Magic Village Resort

- Marenas Beach Resort

- Residence Inn Miami Aventura

- ResortQuest by Wyndham Vacation Rentals

- Sailport Waterfront Suites

- Sandestin Golf and BeachResort

- Sundial Beach Resort & Spa

- Suwannee River Hideaway Campground

- The Don Cesar Hotel

- TreeUmph! Adventure Course

- Xtreme Action Park

Visit the Visit Florida website for exclusive deals for Canadian travellers.

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