Latest news with #GMCVB
Miami Herald
18 hours ago
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Denying Miami residents the right to vote in November is wrong
Skip the proposal Some members of Miami's city commission want to deny residents the right to vote by postponing November's city election to 2026. This is wrong! This seems illegal and against our rights as citizens of the United States of America, Florida and the city of Miami. Brenda Merrill, Miami Voters have a say Canceling the upcoming City of Miami election is an un-American act of tyranny and we, the voters of Miami, will not allow our voices to be silenced. Clementine Gazay, Miami Promises, promises Revocation of legal programs for certain migrants is the most recent example of America reneging on its promises. The Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela (CHNV) parole program, instituted in early 2023, allowed 30,000 persons per month from these countries to legally enter the U.S. for up to two years. Then they were supposed to go home. The Trump administration terminated CHNV in March, leaving 550,000 in the lurch. We should have simply enforced the two-year limit, required the migrants to honor their end of the bargain and then leave — or be removed. This is a years-old problem, however. People entering our country apparently know how to claim political asylum at the border, as economic refugees are quickly deported or refused entry. Political asylum cases are backlogged for years, allowing unlimited stays. Until now, no TPS program has ever been terminated. So much for 'Temporary.' Migrants and their advocates should stop complaining about the devastation to their lives if their time is up. On the other hand, our government must examine TPS for each country and make an unbiased decision to continue it or not. Norman Segall, Coral Gables Sustainable resource Imagine Greater Miami and Miami Beach without its beaches and bay. No days spent swimming, boating or fishing, no economic tourism benefit. While it can be easy to take our backyard for granted, we can't. The importance of protecting our region's greatest asset — our marine waters — can't be understated. World Ocean Day reminds us to act. While Miami Beach has championed sustainability initiatives like promoting green infrastructure, energy and water efficiency and resilience efforts to build a better future for residents and visitors, local government can't do it all. The tourism industry must do its part. Destinations that proactively improve their environmental health create stronger, more vibrant communities. For example, the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau's (GMCVB) Green Key Global Certification program recognizes hotels and resorts for water conservation and eco-friendly practices. With 71 hotels (including 28 Miami Beach properties) in the certification pipeline, we call on all our tourism industry peers to do more. Tourism is our economic lifeblood. Whether committing to existing programs or creating new ideas, let's work together to protect our most vulnerable and valuable resource and help ensure Greater Miami and Miami Beach remain a sustainable paradise to live, work, play and visit. Laura Dominguez, GMCVB board member, city commissioner, Miami Beach Rising insurance If you live long enough, you get cataracts. I've been told I need surgery. Armed with Medicare, supplemental and additional vision insurance, I was surprised to learn that my out-of-pocket cost will be about $4,500 per eye. My home insurance rose so much we are dropping it and hoping we don't get a Cat 5 hurricane. With health, home and car insurance consuming 35% of our income, something had to give. I thought I was well-covered for the surgery. Something isn't right. George Lipp, Cooper City Feeding strays I wholeheartedly disagree with Haydee Sanchez's June 2 letter, 'Animal feeding.' For many years, I dropped off mail after hours at the post office at Bird Road and Southwest 117th avenue. Every night, someone would put out up to 15 disposable plates of food for stray cats by the entrance. This attracted many cats. The smell was unpleasant, the area was dirty and not all the food was consumed. Rats likely ate the leftovers. This was a health hazard being created by well-meaning cat lovers and shouldn't have been allowed. Miami-Dade Commissioner Raquel Regalado's ordinance would have protected residents from such health hazards. We have a problem, but feeding strays in public places shouldn't be allowed. One reason I stopped visiting that post office at night was all the cats, rats and the food stench. Lynn Guarch-Pardo, Coral Gables Housing concerns On May 25, the online Miami Herald published the Bloomberg editorial, 'A building boom on federal land just might work.' I take issue with this statement: 'In exchange for land, states and local governments should also be required to make concrete changes to draw investors. The free market — not zoning boards or community groups — should be allowed to determine what kind of housing gets built and at what price.' We have seen that over and over in Miami. We tear down affordable housing and replace it with 'luxury' housing, which drives up housing costs and makes workforce housing impossible to attain. We do not need more luxury housing. Nanci Mitchell, Miami Roads to learning As a proud Miami Dade College graduate and current FIU student, I know firsthand that the road to a degree isn't always linear. I began my journey 11 years ago as an immigrant learning English. Today, I'm on track to become a CPA — thanks to the Helios 20th Anniversary Pathway Transfer Scholarship. Florida leads the nation in two- and four-year college transfers, but such students face significant barriers. Often overlooked in traditional scholarship programs, these students bring resilience and ambition to their new institutions, enriching academic communities. Many are first-generation college students or come from low-income backgrounds. Tailored services are critical for their success. Transfer pathways offer affordable, accessible routes to higher education, ensuring students of all backgrounds can succeed. Multiple narratives exist, including the notion that not every student needs a four-year degree. I couldn't disagree more. Our communities must continue to invest in clear, affordable pathways to education beyond high school; this strengthens our communities and recognizes the unique contributions of every student Regardless of their chosen path, let's celebrate all students pursuing post-secondary education. Talent doesn't follow a single path and neither should opportunity. Leina Olazabal Rodriguez, Doral Honor all troops For many years, I have felt a sense of regret (even cowardice), for not serving in our military. As a result, I make it a point to offer my seat or shake the hand of any service member I encounter, including transgender personnel. A recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling allows President Trump and his administration to enforce a Department of Defense policy prohibiting transgender Americans from serving in the U.S. military. Who would oppose any member of our society willing to put on the uniform and take a bullet on our behalf, bearing the weight of defending our freedoms? The military has about 1.3 million active-duty service members. According to the Defense Department's own reports, only 0.2 percent of those in uniform have a 'diagnosis of gender dysphoria.' Astonishing. Although pros and cons are present in most situations, I will endlessly support any fellow American in uniform, for they never have to experience the lack of courage I once felt. Jaime Rivera, Miami ICE's chaos Why are Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in plain clothes and masks showing up at immigration courts and scooping up individuals who were following all the rules and reporting for asylum hearings before a judge? Targeting immigrants who have no criminal record creates chaos, does not make our communities safer and discourages individuals from showing up. ICE should go after real criminals and leave law abiding immigrants alone. Kenneth Karger, Kendall
Travel Daily News
5 days ago
- Business
- Travel Daily News
GMCVB report: Record number of visitors in 2024
Greater Miami broke records with 28 million visitors in 2024, generating $22 billion in spending and supporting 209,000 tourism-related jobs. Marking a new record number of visitors in the last year, the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) emphasised the high-performing visitor economy and communicated the benefits of tourism in Miami-Dade County at its annual State of the Travel & Tourism Industry event. More than 600 attendees, including GMCVB industry partners, government officials and community leaders, gathered at Jungle Island to celebrate Greater Miami and Miami Beach's robust tourism ecosystem and one of the destination's main economic drivers. Miami-Dade County experienced sustained tourism growth in 2024, attracting over 28 million visitors – the highest number ever recorded in a single year. These visitors spent $22 billion in the destination, generating $2.2 billion in local and state tax revenues. With more than 209,000 tourism-supported jobs in Miami-Dade, the industry now supports more people than ever before. In 2024, the county led the state of Florida in occupancy. In the top 25 U.S. hotel markets, the destination also ranked fourth nationally in hotel occupancy and third in the average daily room rate metric, reflecting strong tourism demand. Domestic and international visitors also frequented Greater Miami and Miami Beach in higher numbers than in 2023, improving by 2 percent and 4 percent respectively and spent more in 2024, by 3 percent and 5 percent. Julissa Kepner, GMCVB board chair, noted, 'Our visitors have travelled here in greater numbers and their additional spending benefits us all. This should drive home the importance that tourism isn't just a local priority – it's the engine propelling Miami-Dade County onto the world stage as a model for economic prosperity and exceptional resident quality of life. Miami-Dade's tourism industry is driven by momentum, innovation and a global outlook. Our continued success depends on bold marketing, diverse and elevated offerings, a deep commitment to sustainability and the celebration of our diverse cultural assets.' Key drivers of tourism business – above and beyond leisure travel – remain the meetings and conventions sector as well as major events. The recent groundbreaking of the 800-room Grand Hyatt Miami Beach convention center hotel, set to open in 2027, will further boost the destination's ability to attract premier global events, business meetings, trade shows and conventions. A new live webcam offers real-time visuals of the property's construction, creating excitement among planners and reinforcing the destination's readiness for large-scale events. 'Tourism and hospitality are the lifeblood of Miami-Dade County. Our industry works tirelessly to ensure that Greater Miami and Miami Beach remains a top global travel destination while celebrating our unique neighbourhoods and creating programmes that welcome all visitors,' shared GMCVB President and CEO David Whitaker. 'Our residents and businesses benefited from more than $31 billion in economic impact – 9% of Miami-Dade's GDP – in the last year. This growth marks a 5% increase from 2023 and is a testament to the strength and success of the industry's efforts to attract travellers.' Continuing in 2025, Miami-Dade County grew in hotel room demand, with most weeks showing growth over the same period the previous year. A snapshot of the first four months indicates that Greater Miami and Miami Beach properties – among the top 25 U.S. hotel markets – rank number one in occupancy in revenue per available room and second in the country in average daily room rates. Innovative GMCVB programmes helped support the industry's strong yearly performance and set the outlook for the year ahead. Here are some notable FY 2024 highlights: Among three of Miami-Dade County's leading overnight international travel markets, Colombia, Brazil and the United Kingdom continue to show year-over-year gains of 8, 12 and 10 percent respectively. The convention sales team secured 16 new Miami Beach Convention Center (MBCC) convention bookings surpassing its goal of 15. These events accounted for 65,000 attendees with 107,604 room nights sold. The estimated economic impact of these 16 bookings was more than $131 million. In fact, nine new bookings have been secured totalling 62,000 attendees with 46,978 room nights sold and an economic impact of more than $95 million. Marketing team highlights included a strategy that led to social media growth and the rollout of the Creator Collective, a content engine powered by diverse local storytellers producing owned content across key platforms. This contributed to @VisitMiami becoming the fastest-growing destination marketing organisation Instagram channel, driving record engagement and reach. The ability to expand digital mapping of neighbourhoods through Miami-Dade County's municipalities on and Share of Voice efforts have lifted visibility of municipal tourism partners across social and public relations channels further showcasing the extent of Miami-Dade County visitor experiences. In 2025, the famed Miami Spice programme debuts a refreshed brand appearance aligning with Greater Miami and Miami Beach's rising profile as a Michelin-recognised culinary destination. This campaign will feature influencer partnerships and enhanced content creation designed to maximise engagement and participation. Key developmentsin sustainability and accessibility included efforts to certify local hotels to adopt internationally recognised sustainability standards in partnership with Green Key Global. With 71 hotels currently in the certification pipeline, this amplifies the importance of the destination to cater to visitors who enjoy environmentally responsible accommodations. In collaboration with Wheel the World, an accessible travel provider, and our tourism partners, Greater Miami and Miami Beach has set a goal to be 'Destination Verified,' making it easier for travellers with disabilities to plan accessible experiences. A new campaign, 'It's Where You Belong,' an extension of the GMCVB's 'Find Your Miami' initiative will soon showcase accessible destination attributes. Alongside its partner, the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES), the GMCVB continued to engage hospitality and tourism partners to become Certified Autism Centers, ensuring that a nurturing and supportive environment is created for neurodivergent travellers and their families. In April 2025, the Autism Adventure Guide just featured the GMCVB and the MBCC as Certified Autism Center designated organisations. The Multicultural Tourism & Development Department has supported 147 small businesses over the last year through the Tourism Business Enhancement programme strengthening the capacity and long-term viability of multicultural and heritage-based businesses throughout Miami-Dade County's tourism economy. The Art of Black Miami year-round initiative featured more than 66 activations during Art Week – more than 266 percent since it began – underscoring a decade of cultural impact and artistic excellence. The programme has expanded its neighbourhood footprint from 10 to 14 communities, accounting for a 40 percent increase in geographic representation in Miami-Dade County. Earlier this month, the BHI, the GMCVB's scholarship and talent development arm, raised a record $250,000 in scholarship funds to provide the next generation of hospitality and tourism students opportunities to pursue careers in Miami-Dade's leading economic sector. A few of the key events contributing to the visitor industry's success included Calle Ocho Music Festival, Latin GRAMMYs, Winter Party Festival, Miami Carnival, the Orange Blossom Classic, Jazz in the Gardens Music Festival, Art Basel Miami Beach, Formula One Miami Grand Prix, the Capital One Orange Bowl and others. In 2026, several large sporting events will play a major role in raising the profile of the destination including the College Football Playoff National Championship, NHL Winter Classic, World Baseball Classic, FIFA World Cup and NASCAR Championship Race.
