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CBS News
3 hours ago
- CBS News
DeSantis aide Bryan Griffin to lead Visit Florida, state's tourism marketing corporation
Bryan Griffin, who has served as a spokesman for Gov. Ron DeSantis, is set to take over as leader of Florida's tourism-marketing efforts. The Visit Florida Board of Directors on Friday approved appointing Griffin to succeed former President and CEO Dana Young, who stepped down in February. The approval came after DeSantis earlier Friday endorsed Griffin, the governor's communications director, for the tourism post. "Florida is everything to me," Griffin said. "I was born and raised in Tampa, got my education at the University of Florida. I've started businesses here. Met my wife here. And I've spent the past several years articulating the policies and priorities of Florida from the governor's office." Visit Florida is a public-private agency that is receiving $80 million in state money this fiscal year to promote tourism in the state. Griffin must still negotiate a start date and salary with Visit Florida Chairman Eric Marshall, senior vice president of destination sales for Universal Parks and Resorts. The salary will not exceed $215,000; Griffin earns $183,600 a year in his current position. Visit Florida board member Carol Dover, president and CEO of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, said she hoped the contract could be worked out before the Governor's Conference on Tourism, which begins Aug. 27 at the Omni Orlando Resort in ChampionsGate. "His ability to communicate both publicly and in print will be well utilized by Visit Florida," Dover said. Young, a former member of the Florida House and Senate, led Visit Florida through a period that included the COVID-19 pandemic largely shutting down the tourism industry during part of 2020. Also, the agency grappled in recent years with fallout from a series of hurricanes. Visit Florida worked to draw back tourists, and overall visitor numbers grew from 131.07 million in 2019 to 142.997 million last year. Since Young's departure, Craig Thomas, Visit Florida's chief operating officer, has served as interim leader. Griffin has worked in the governor's office since March 2022, starting as a deputy press secretary. He exited briefly in 2023 to work on DeSantis' unsuccessful presidential campaign. In a statement before Friday's meeting, DeSantis said Griffin has "led the charge in communicating the message of the free state of Florida for the past three years from my office." According to his LinkedIn profile, Griffin has a law degree from the University of Florida and worked toward a master's degree in international affairs, economics and political development at Columbia University.
Skift
5 hours ago
- Skift
Extreme Heat in Greece Triggers Safety Warnings for Tourists, Forces Partial Shut Down of Acropolis
The increasing frequency of heat events is raising fresh questions about climate resilience in Mediterranean tourism markets, especially as the peak season now coincides with dangerous weather extremes. Greece has partially shut down the Acropolis in Athens and is urging tourists to stay indoors as an extreme heatwave sweeps across the country. Greece's Ministry of Culture has closed the ancient citadel during the hottest hours everyday since Tuesday. It is the most visited attraction in the country. 'The Acropolis Archaeological Site will remain closed from Friday to Sunday, between 12:00 and 17:00 due to high temperatures, for the safety of employees and visitors,' the ministry said in a statement. Temperatures in parts of the country are expected to peak at 43°C (109°F), according to Greece's Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection. Authorities have advised residents and tourists to stay cool, avoid crowds, use air conditioning or fans, wear breathable clothing, and drink water regularly. Tourism Sector Faces Heat Pressure Greece, which welcomes millions of visitors annually during the summer months, is no stranger to extreme heat. But climate change is intensifying those patterns. The country has experienced longer and more intense heatwaves in recent years, as well as deadly floods and destructive wildfires. Last month, Western Europe was gripped by another searing heatwave that triggered evacuations, injuries, and travel disruption across France, Spain, and Greece. Thousands were displaced by wildfires, while tourism businesses and public agencies scrambled to respond. Skift's in-depth reporting on climate issues is made possible through the financial support of Intrepid Travel. This backing allows Skift to bring you high-quality journalism on one of the most important topics facing our planet today. Intrepid is not involved in any decisions made by Skift's editorial team.
Business Insider
5 hours ago
- Business Insider
The world's richest people are pouring money into Africa's luxury resorts
A private island off Tanzania's coast, where guests pay around $50,000 per night for exclusive use of a villa, catamaran, and helicopter transfers inside a protected marine reserve, is emerging as the latest marker of Africa's fast-growing luxury hospitality market. According to a Bloomberg report, the resort is run by Dubai's Jumeirah Group LLC, part of the emirate's royal business empire, and reflects a broader surge of global investor interest in African tourism. From vineyard retreats to elite safaris and gorilla treks, billionaires, tech moguls, and Middle Eastern investors are turning their attention and capital toward Africa, now seen as one of the last untapped frontiers of luxury travel. Jumeirah has teamed up with the Swedish founders of Thanda Group to offer a private island escape off Tanzania and a Big Five safari experience in South Africa. Kasada Capital Management, backed by Qatar's sovereign wealth fund, is expanding its footprint, eyeing deals in Morocco and adding to its 19-hotel portfolio across seven African nations. Meanwhile, Albwardy Investment, the firm behind Dubai's Desert Palm Polo Estate, is pushing ahead with developments in Zanzibar and Seychelles. It's a marked shift. Where African hospitality was once largely shaped by state-led initiatives, it's now being redefined by private capital, keen to meet a growing appetite for luxury experiences in untamed destinations. Billionaires are betting big Billionaires are increasingly drawn to Africa. For many, the cost of entry, from land acquisition to development, is significantly lower than in more established markets. Meanwhile, tourism numbers are soaring. In 2024, Africa surpassed pre-pandemic levels of international arrivals, welcoming 74 million visitors, according to UN Tourism. A 2024 Deloitte report on next-generation travellers forecasts that the Middle East and Africa will lead global growth in inbound tourism through 2040. Africa alone is expected to expand at a compound annual rate of 3.5% from 2019 to 2040, showing the region's long-term appeal. Virgin Limited Edition, the luxury hospitality brand founded by Richard Branson, has made Africa central to its strategy; over half its properties are on the continent, with more investments on the horizon. Others are following suit. Koos Bekker, the billionaire behind Naspers Ltd., recently opened his second ultra-luxury lodge in South Africa. United Africa Group, led by entrepreneur Haddis Tilahun, is in talks to acquire five high-end properties, while Club Med, backed by Chinese tycoon Guo Guangchang's Fosun, is preparing to launch a bush-and-beach resort in South Africa by next July.
