2008-26971 ResoRESOLUTION NO. zoUB-zhy~t
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF
THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, SUPPORTING THE
GREATER MIAMI CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU IN
URGING THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE TO PASS
LEGISLATION ALLOWING FOR THE LOCAL LICENSING OF
TOUR GUIDES.
WHEREAS, Miami-Dade County is one of the country's preeminent business and
leisure travel destinations; and
WHEREAS, more than 12 million visitors stayed at least one night in Miami-Dade
County in 2007, according to the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau
("GMCVB"); and
WHEREAS, these overnight visitors spent approximately $17.1 billion in direct
expenditures; and
WHEREAS, historical and cultural tours are an important part of tourism in
Miami-Dade County; and
WHEREAS, providing competent and accurate tours is important to a visitor's
experience in our community; and
WHEREAS, the "GMCVB" believes licensing is an essential element in ensuring
that tour guides are accurate and professional; and
WHEREAS, Florida law currently preempts local governments from licensing or
regulating tour guides because state law includes "tour-guide services" under the
definition of travel agents and other "sellers of travel;" and
WHEREAS, despite preempting local governments from regulating tour guide
operators, the State of Florida does not itself impose any professional or ethical
standards on individual tour guides; and
WHEREAS, the cities of New York, New Orleans, Charleston, Williamsburg, and
Savannah, all currently license tour guides; and
WHEREAS, licensing tour guides locally will help to ensure that tour guides are
accurate, professional, and ethical.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT DULY RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, that:
1. The Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau is supported in urging
the Florida Legislature to pass legislation allowing for the local licensing of tour guides;
2. The City Clerk is hereby directed to transmit certified copies of this
Resolution to the Governor, Senate President, and House Speaker for the State of
Florida, the Chair and Members of the Miami-Dade State Legislative Delegation, and to
the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors
Bureau; and
3. The City's state lobbyists are hereby directed to advocate for the issues
identified in Section 1 above, and the City Manager is hereby directed to include this
item in the City of Miami Beach's 2009 state legislative package.
PASSED and ADOPTED this 10th day of llecember , 2008.
ATTEST:
Matti~ower
Mayor
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Robert Parcher FORM & LANGUAGE
City Clerk & FOR EXECUTION
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F?a¢o1TURN'•.RESOS'•.LOCaI Licensing of Tour Guides.doc
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m MIAMI BEACH
oFFic_ of r1E M,~~ ,-:a Avg cc;nnnnssov MEMORANDUM
ro: Jorge Gonzalez, City Manag r
FROM.- Matti H. Bower. Mayor
Dn7E: November 24, 2008
SuB1ECr: Agenda Item for December 10, 2008 Miami Beach City Commission Meeting
Please place on the December 10, 2008 Miami Beach City Commission meeting agenda a
Resolution supporting the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau in Urging the Florida
Legislature to Pass Legislation Allowing for Local Licensing of Tour Guides.
Thank you.
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Agenda Item ~~
Date iL iC~