VISIT FLORIDA Develops Apps to Connect with International Travelers

~Official Florida Guides, Available Now for iPads and Soon for Androids, Are Free~

Mumbai, September 29th 2014 – To connect with the passions of a rapidly growing global fan base, VISIT FLORIDA introduces free Official Florida Guide apps for tablets.

The overarching themes for the travel guides are beaches, theme parks and shopping, which represent the most popular desires of Florida’s international visitors. The content also caters specifically to each audience, with videos, photography and stories translated and curated according to their special interests.

There are seven apps in all:

·         English-language versions for the United Kingdom, for generations one of Florida’s strongest overseas markets; and India, an emerging travel market with substantial micro-communities of family and friends throughout Florida;

·         A Portuguese-language app for Brazil, now the No. 1 overseas market for Florida tourism;

·         Spanish for the Hispanic market and Latin America;

·         Mandarin for China and its exponentially growing middle class; and

·         German and French for two of Florida’s longtime loyal markets.

“These international apps reflect our commitment to telling Florida’s great story,” said Will Seccombe, President and CEO of VISIT FLORIDA. “We want to be as sophisticated in our storytelling internationally as we are domestically.”

The English, Spanish, German and Portuguese apps are downloadable now from the Apple App Store for iPads. Availability for Androids via Google Play is coming soon. Search “Official Florida Guide” for English, Guia Florida for Spanish and Portuguese, and so on.

The apps are usable offline; no WiFi is necessary. Ideally, travelers will download the travel guide before they embark, in order to have the content at hand regardless of internet connectivity when they arrive.

For a preview, look for the English, Spanish and Portuguese versions presently available in the Apple App Store.

The visually rich travel guides will feature:

·         Professionally reported travel journalism with images and videos;

·         An interactive map showing key destinations and additional opportunities within reach; and

·         Links to vital U.S. transportation information.

“These apps will give Florida's visitors a digital concierge to help them access all that Florida has to offer – in their own language, without roaming charges,” said Susannah Costello, Vice President of Global Brand for VISIT FLORIDA.