 |
|
|
Five And A Half Years Later, 9/11 Still Hurting Florida’s Economy
Florida’s new state budget isn’t even set to take effect until Sunday, but Governor Charlie Crist is already talking about making cuts. Economic forecasts show Florida’s revenue is continuing to fall off, and a new study shows the effects of a post 9-11 world may be at least partly to blame. Reporter: Victoria Langley |
|
3 Comments 
Florida’s new state budget isn’t even set to take effect until Sunday, but Governor Charlie Crist is already talking about making cuts.
Economic forecasts show Florida’s revenue is continuing to fall off, and a new study shows the effects of a post 9-11 world may be at least partly to blame.
The nation’s anti-terrorism policies may have cost Florida more than 50 billion dollars.
While just 6 percent of Florida’s visitors are from other countries, new research shows the dramatic drop-off in international tourism since 9-11 has cost Florida more than 50 billion dollars in spending and investment by foreign visitors and businesses.
Bud Nocera is the head of the state’s official marketing agency Visit Florida. He says visitors report a huge part of the problem is rude and confrontational treatment by airport and other border security agents.
“What’s happening is the people are getting turned off. They’re angered by their treatment and they’re going elsewhere.”
“The impact of 9/11 doesn’t stop with Florida’s tourism industry. Studies show Florida has lost 40-thousand international students at its colleges and universities over the past five and a half years, with a loss of more than a billion dollars.”
Suggestions include streamlining and simplifying the Visa application process without giving up important safeguards. And a key solution might also be one of the simplest and most cost-effective. Victoria Zepp with Florida TaxWatch says bureaucrats and security agents should give courtesy a try.
“It’s security – you see all the protocols - being nice is probably right down here, and what we’re saying is that can be an integral part of all that we do here in the US and the state of Florida.”
The cost of not being nice may be more than a tourist state like Florida can afford to pay.
Researchers at Florida TaxWatch say international visitors and businesses remain a critical component of the state’s economy.
TaxWatch estimates more than 300-thousand jobs in Florida and more than 91 billion dollars in goods and services were a direct result of money spent and invested here last year by foreign visitors.
Latest Comments
Some foreigners may be turned off by airport security. Many more are turned off by rude treatment in restaurants, shops, etc. by the locals. Out of state tourists feel the same way. They feel they are being ripped off by local government, with discriminatory real estate tax treatment, high service costs, high insurance costs, lying and fraud committed by real estate agents, and lack of help from local government to stop these misdeeds. The word gets around, both in foreign lands, including Canada and Mexico, and cannot be easily changed. Non-residents from the other states are also leaving. There are no jobs, little culture, and the weather and beaches are unpredictable at best. Being nice would help but it will take a change in the local attitude which just wants the money without the effort.
[ Report Abuse ]
The loss of tourists has more to do with rude treatment by clerks in stores, restaurants, etc., the total standstill of traffic in places where tourists visit, like beach areas of Miami, Destin, Naples, and surrounding areas, the overbuilding all over Florida, the enticing hype to buy pushed by developers and realtors, and then the resulting drop in prices, with outrages increases in real estate taxes and insurance, with no thought for the investor-visitor. Yes, 9-11 is a good scapegoat. A little self examination is greatly in order. Charles Hopfl
[ Report Abuse ]
My husband and I have visited Panama City Beach each September for the past 33 years. One big turnoff for us is that there are groups like the base ball teams, bikers etc that come down and do not obey the rules of the motels & hotels and they pretty much do what they want. The management do very little because they want the business but, they don't mind loosing the business from the ones that come every year without fail and spent a lot of money down there without getting drunk and showing out.
[ Report Abuse ]
