Florida tourism is thriving despite the highly unusual combination of Hurricanes Charley and Frances, according to tourism officials.
“Major attractions in Central Florida opened Monday,” said Frank Nocera, president and CEO of VISIT FLORIDA.” Most areas of the state are open from the Florida Keys through Miami and Fort Lauderdale.”
Also open: Pensacola, Fort Walton Beach and Florida’s panhandle.
Hotels have come back on line in areas of southwest Florida that were hit by hurricane Frances over the Labor Day weekend, according to Mr Nocera.
Most resorts in Palm Beach and Boca Raton are open.
“By and large, there has been not much damage to our tourism infrastructure across the state,” he said.
Some cruise lines offered rebooking programs while others changed their schedules.
Royal Caribbean International, for example, modified its itinerary for Sovereign of the Seas because of damage to Port Canaveral. The ship put out sailing until Friday from Port Everglades. Its original embarkation port in Brevard County has been closed for repairs.
Report by David Wilkening
