Carol Dover, the President and CEO of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA), has been honored with induction into the Visit Florida Tourism Hall of Fame. The prestigious recognition took place during the Chairman’s Dinner of the annual VISIT FLORIDA Governor’s Conference on Tourism. This distinction is bestowed upon individuals who have made a significant and positive impact on the development of Florida as a highly desirable tourist destination.
Dover expressed her deep gratitude for the honor, emphasizing that her induction into the Florida Tourism Hall of Fame is a testament not only to her individual efforts but also to the unwavering support of her faith, family, and team. For three decades, Dover has been at the helm of FRLA, an association dedicated to safeguarding, educating, and promoting Florida’s flourishing $112 billion hospitality industry, as well as its two million employees.
Under Dover’s leadership, FRLA has achieved numerous accomplishments that have enhanced Florida’s economic strength and solidified its position as a premier tourist destination. One of her noteworthy victories was the successful repeal of the alcohol beverage tax, which has resulted in billions of dollars in savings for hotels and restaurants. Additionally, Dover has been a fierce advocate for VISIT FLORIDA funding and the protection of Tourist Development Taxes, which have been instrumental in promoting tourism in Florida.
During challenging times such as the BP Oil Spill, hurricanes, and the global COVID-19 pandemic, Dover has played a pivotal role in bringing tourists back to the state. Her efforts in creating events and implementing initiatives have generated hundreds of millions of dollars in economic impact, as well as the creation of new hospitality jobs and businesses. Notably, Dover successfully lobbied for Florida restaurants to remain open for curbside and carryout services during the COVID-19 crisis, saving numerous jobs and helping tens of thousands of establishments stay afloat.
Dover’s influence extends beyond the hospitality industry. She spearheaded the relocation of the Florida Restaurant Association from Hollywood, Florida, to Tallahassee, allowing for greater visibility and access to state leaders. In 2006, she orchestrated the merger between the Florida Restaurant Association and the Florida Hotel & Motel Association, forming the powerful Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association.
Dover’s commitment to nurturing future talent in the industry is evident in her expansion of the Florida ProStart Program, now the largest in the nation, with over 215 schools and 30,000 students participating annually. This program invests in the training and development of students who will contribute to the success of Florida’s hospitality industry and ensure that visitors have unforgettable experiences.
Moreover, Dover’s efforts have transcended the realm of hospitality and tourism. Her instrumental influence in expanding and funding the Florida Horse Park has solidified Ocala’s reputation as the Horse Capital of the World®. Additionally, her promotion of equestrian events throughout Central Florida and Wellington has generated over $12.8 billion in economic impact, establishing “equi-tourism” as a significant contributor to Florida’s economy.
The FRLA, of which Dover is at the helm, remains dedicated to safeguarding, educating, and promoting Florida’s hospitality and tourism industry on a daily basis. With over 10,000 members, including independent hoteliers, restaurateurs, household name franchises, theme parks, and suppliers, FRLA continues to advance priorities that enhance the success and sustainability of this vital sector.
Carol Dover, predsjednica i izvršna direktorica Udruženja restorana i hotela Floride (FRLA), dobila je veliko priznanje uvrštavanjem u Kuću slavnih turizma Visit Florida. Ovo ugledno priznanje dodijeljeno je pojedincima koji su značajno i pozitivno utjecali na razvoj Floride kao iznimno poželjne turističke destinacije.
Dover je izrazila duboku zahvalnost za ovu čast, ističući da njezino uvrštavanje u Kuću slavnih turizma Floride nije samo potvrda njezinih individualnih napora, već i nepokolebljive podrške njezine vjere, obitelji i tima. Već tri desetljeća, Dover je na čelu FRLA, udruženja posvećenog zaštiti, obrazovanju i promociji cvatuće industrije ugostiteljstva koja u Floridi vrijedi 112 milijardi dolara, a zapošljava i do 2 milijuna ljudi.
Pod Doverinim vodstvom, FRLA je postigla brojne uspjehe koji su ojačali ekonomsku snagu Floride i učvrstili njezinu poziciju kao vodeće turističke destinacije. Jedna od njenih značajnih pobjeda bilo je uspješno ukidanje poreza na alkoholna pića, što je rezultiralo milijardama dolara uštede za hotele i restorane. Osim toga, Dover se snažno zalagala za financiranje Visit Floride i za zaštitu poreza na razvoj turizma, koji su bili od ključne važnosti za promociju turizma u Floridi.
Tijekom izazovnih razdoblja poput izlijevanja nafte naftne platforme BP, uragana i globalne pandemije COVID-19, Dover je imala ključnu ulogu u ponovnom privlačenju turista u državu. Njezini napori u stvaranju događaja i provođenju inicijativa donijeli su stotine milijuna dolara gospodarskog utjecaja, kao i stvaranje novih radnih mjesta i poduzeća u sektoru ugostiteljstva. Dover je uspješno lobirala da restorani u Floridi ostanu otvoreni za usluge iznošenja hrane i odvoženja hrane za vrijeme krize COVID-19, čime su spašeni brojni poslovi i pomoglo je desecima tisuća objekata da opstanu.
Doverov utjecaj se proteže izvan industrije ugostiteljstva. Ona je predvodila preseljenje Floridaškog udruženja restorana iz Hollywooda, Floride u Tallahassee, kako bi se omogućila veća vidljivost i pristup državnim liderima. Godine 2006. organizirala je spajanje Floridaškog udruženja restorana i Floridaškog udruženja hotela i motela, stvarajući moćno Udruženje restorana i hotela Floride.
Doverova posvećenost poticanju budućih talenata u industriji očituje se u širenju programa ProStart Floride koji je sada najveći u zemlji, s više od 215 škola i 30.000 učenika koji u njemu sudjeluju svake godine. Ovaj program ulaže u obuku i razvoj studenata koji će doprinijeti uspjehu industrije ugostiteljstva Floride i osigurati nezaboravna iskustva posjetiteljima.
Osim toga, Doverovi napori su premašili područje ugostiteljstva i turizma. Njezinu ključnu ulogu u proširenju i financiranju Jahaonice Floride ojačale su reputaciju Ocale kao prijestolnice konja svijeta. Također, njezino promoviranje konjičkih događaja diljem Središnje Floride i Wellintona imalo je gospodarski utjecaj od preko 12,8 milijardi dolara i uspostavilo “equi-turizam” kao značajan doprinos gospodarstvu Floride.
FRLA, kojom Dover upravlja, ostaje posvećena zaštiti, obrazovanju i promociji industrije ugostiteljstva i turizma u Floridi svakodnevno. S više od 10.000 članova, uključujući neovisne hotelijere, vlasnike restorana, poznate franšize, tematske parkove i dobavljače, FRLA nastavlja promovirati prioritete koji unapređuju uspjeh i održivost ovog važnog sektora.
Definitions:
– FRLA (Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association): Udruženje restorana i hotela Floride
– Visit Florida: Visit Florida Turističko udruženje
– hospitality industry: industrija ugostiteljstva
– tourist destination: turistička destinacija
– induction: uvrštenje
– recognition: priznanje
– impact: utjecaj
– repeal: ukidanje
– advocate: zagovornik
– lobbying: lobiranje
– curbside and carryout services: usluge iznošenja hrane i odvoženja hrane
– merger: spajanje
– Horse Capital of the World®: Prijestolnica konja svijeta
– ProStart Program: Program ProStart
– equi-tourism: equi-turizam
– sustainability: održivost
Related links:
– Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA)
– Visit Florida
