Viva Florida 500, a yearlong multimedia campaign to celebrate Florida’s 500th anniversary, begins this week, reports the Associated Press. The campaign hopes to further increase summer tourism to the state.
On April 2, 1513, the Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon was the first recorded European to make shore in Florida. In commemoration of that event, a replica Spanish galleon will sail the state’s coast from now until June, making port calls in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Cape Canaveral, and St. Augustine.
Viva Florida has its own website that details the galleon’s specific route and offers information on other upcoming events, such as the three day exhibit at the Museum of Florida History that will feature the state’s original 1838 Constitution, a Sir Francis Drake map and other rare documents. Also available on the site is a clickable map with historical information, a development timeline, videos, fun facts and more.
The State anticipates the events will spark summer travel interest and encourage vacationers to extend their stay. “By offering visitors a whole new reason to explore the Sunshine State in 2013…we are continuing to increase the economic impact of travelers to Florida,” says Will Seccombe, president and CEO of Visit Florida.
A Florida TaxWatch study reports that in 2012 Florida welcomed more than 87 million visitors, making the 100 million milestone a reasonable goal for 2013. If met, it will substantially impact the state’s job market and local economy.
For more from Associated Press click here.