Dana Young, President and CEO of Visit Florida, has announced her retirement after six years of leading the state's official tourism marketing organization.
Young, the longest-serving agency head in the current Florida government administration, will stay on until a successor is appointed.
"I am so grateful to Governor DeSantis for the opportunity to lead VISIT FLORIDA for the past six years," Young said. "I am very proud of the work we have done (and will continue to do) at VISIT FLORIDA, maximizing return on investment for Florida taxpayers.
"This has truly been the best job I have ever had, and I will miss my amazing team."
Visit Florida said tourism in the state reached new heights under Young's leadership, with 140.6 million visitors in 2023. Visits grew 7.3% during her tenure, and the economic impact of tourism grew 32.4%.
Florida’s recovery from the pandemic significantly outpaced that of the US as a whole, beating projections by two years, the agency said.
Prior to her role at Visit Florida, Young served for eight years in the Florida Legislature, representing Tampa and parts of Hillsborough County.
