Officials release statement on Florida Offshore Drilling Legislation
“The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association is closely monitoring legislation filed by both the Florida Senate and the Florida House of Representatives on the issue of oil and gas exploration in the Gulf of Mexico. Although it appears unlikely that offshore drilling will be passed into law this year, FRLA is prepared to be actively engaged should the measure be brought before the Florida Legislature in the final weeks of Session.
“Florida’s hospitality industry depends upon maintaining pristine ecological systems for tourism and travel. Our state’s economic stability depends on a strong tourism base of which the hospitality industry is a foundation. In 2008, Florida’s tourism industry generated $65.2 billion in direct economic impact and $3.9 billion in tax revenue. With more than 84.5 million visitors annually, there are more than 1.5 million visitors in Florida on any given day. It is the state’s largest private employer with more than one million Floridians directly employed, generating a payroll of $16 billion.
“While the issue has been discussed over recent months in local town hall meetings and forums, many questions still remain. We strongly encourage our elected officials to take a measured and thoughtful approach in order to ensure that a fair and accurate assessment of the facts is openly debated. We ask members of our Association who oppose oil and gas exploration in the Gulf of Mexico to contact their local Senator and Representative within the next two weeks to let them know we will not support any measure that would be detrimental to Florida’s tourism and hospitality industry.”