From Florida Oranges to Big Apples, American tourism looks set for sweet 2013
America could be in for a bumper year for tourism in 2013 as
Florida kicks off its 500th anniversary celebrations and New York looks
back on a record 52 million visitors last year.
Five centuries after Juan Ponce de Leon set foot on its golden shores in search of riches, the Sunshine State is celebrating its Spanish heritage with a series of events throughout the year which will highlight some of its lesser known attractions.
Although Florida's history dates back more than 12,000 years with Native Americans, the statewide campaign 'Viva Florida 500' will highlight the start of a new era with de Leon's adventurous voyage to the New World in 1513.
Winter sun: Sunny Florida boasts 825 miles of beaches
Many holidaymakers are tempted by the state's 825 miles of beaches and its status as the theme park capital of the world. There are also around 700 natural springs, plus spas, health resorts and yoga retreats.
But the 'Viva Florida' campaign is designed to broaden Florida's appeal, with 150 celebrations that 'highlight cultural diversity and the art culture history that makes up the fabric of our communities,' according to Will Seccombe, president and CEO of Visit Florida.
Fairytale: Disney characters perform in front of the Cinderella Castle, in Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom
Balmy palms: Miami offers a glittering city escape
Events
include driving the Spanish heritage trail, diving historic shipwrecks,
touring a Spanish basilica and mission village, plus visits to orange
groves and cattle ranches.
Full-scale replicas of De Leon's flagship will visit the city of St Augustine in April while there will also be plenty of festivals with re-enactments.
The commemoration, said Florida historian Dr. J Michael Francis, is not about pinpointing the Spanish legacy but about rediscovering 'and maybe even discover for the first time Florida's colonial history.'
The starter pistol on the year's celebrations was 'La Gran Naranja' - the 'Big Orange' drop - a 35-foot LED neon orange LCD descending from the side of a downtown Miami hotel on New Year's Eve.
On
the ball: Workers watch as the Big Orange, a New Year's time ball, is
prepared to be raised onto the side of the Hotel InterContinental in
Miami
The word naranja comes from the sweet Valencia
orange the Spanish introduced to America, later becoming Florida's
official state fruit.
Tourism is the state's number one industry, responsible for welcoming 87.3 million visitors in 2011, according to state official estimates. Some 1.3 million of those were British.
It seems Florida isn't the only American destination that could see increased footfall in 2013, either. Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg recently announced that New York City clocked a record 52
million visitors in 2012, a 2.1 per cent increase on 2011.
Legacy: Statue of Juan Ponce de Leon in Bayfront Park, Miami
Five centuries after Juan Ponce de Leon set foot on its golden shores in search of riches, the Sunshine State is celebrating its Spanish heritage with a series of events throughout the year which will highlight some of its lesser known attractions.
Although Florida's history dates back more than 12,000 years with Native Americans, the statewide campaign 'Viva Florida 500' will highlight the start of a new era with de Leon's adventurous voyage to the New World in 1513.
Winter sun: Sunny Florida boasts 825 miles of beachesMany holidaymakers are tempted by the state's 825 miles of beaches and its status as the theme park capital of the world. There are also around 700 natural springs, plus spas, health resorts and yoga retreats.
But the 'Viva Florida' campaign is designed to broaden Florida's appeal, with 150 celebrations that 'highlight cultural diversity and the art culture history that makes up the fabric of our communities,' according to Will Seccombe, president and CEO of Visit Florida.
Fairytale: Disney characters perform in front of the Cinderella Castle, in Walt Disney World's Magic KingdomBalmy palms: Miami offers a glittering city escapeFull-scale replicas of De Leon's flagship will visit the city of St Augustine in April while there will also be plenty of festivals with re-enactments.
The commemoration, said Florida historian Dr. J Michael Francis, is not about pinpointing the Spanish legacy but about rediscovering 'and maybe even discover for the first time Florida's colonial history.'
The starter pistol on the year's celebrations was 'La Gran Naranja' - the 'Big Orange' drop - a 35-foot LED neon orange LCD descending from the side of a downtown Miami hotel on New Year's Eve.
On
the ball: Workers watch as the Big Orange, a New Year's time ball, is
prepared to be raised onto the side of the Hotel InterContinental in
MiamiTourism is the state's number one industry, responsible for welcoming 87.3 million visitors in 2011, according to state official estimates. Some 1.3 million of those were British.
It seems Florida isn't the only American destination that could see increased footfall in 2013, either. Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg recently announced that New York City clocked a record 52
million visitors in 2012, a 2.1 per cent increase on 2011.
HOW FLORIDA CAME INTO BEING
Legacy: Statue of Juan Ponce de Leon in Bayfront Park, Miami
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