Sunny skies in Florida

The Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau reported a record-breaking year in 2003, officials said. The destination in South Florida had more than 8.5 million visitors, a 5.4% increase over 2002. That year was also a record, according to CVB officials. Overall hotel occupancy last year climbed to 67.8%, a 4.1% increase over the previous year. The average daily rate was also a record high $89.21. “We expect continued growth for the destination in 2004, as we are in the middle of a record winter season with a 4% increase in visitors for January,” said Nicki E. Grossman, President of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau. Adding momentum to tourism will be three new hotels set to open in the next few months, including: The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood; The Atlantic, a member of Starwood’s Luxury Collection portfolio; and the Best Western Pelican Beach Resort. The success of the area’s airport and its bustling Port Everglades were other reasons for a record-breaking year. Report by David Wilkening