Editor's Note: This story initially said that Visit Florida would get $80 million in Gov. Ron DeSantis' 2024-2025 budget proposal. The correct amount is $105 million.

TAMPA, Fla. — Gov. Ron DeSantis has proposed a new state budget for 2024-25 totaling just more than $114 billion.

According to the Governor's Office, the proposed budget would be $4.6 billion less than what DeSantis proposed last year.

One of the areas that will not see a decrease, though, is Visit Florida — the state's umbrella tourism organization — which would see funding increase to $105 million in DeSantis' budget. In his 2023-2024 budget proposal, DeSantis set aside $100 million for Visit Florida.

From reducing the cost of property insurance to funding schools, law enforcement and economic development, DeSantis said his proposals are based on “conservative principals” and protects Floridians’ freedoms.

Visit Tampa Bay President and CEO Santiago Corrada said Visit Florida works hard to attract people to the Tampa Bay Area, and the new funding, if approved, will help keep Tampa at record-breaking numbers in to next year.

“It’s the only time when you are investing in an activity where you see a return on that investment,” said Corrada. “You are investing in marketing. People come here. They spend money. Some relocate here. They contribute to the tax base. They create jobs.”  

“And so you are really funneling money into an economic engine that has to have that gas to operate," Corrada added.

Visit Tampa Bay officials say the area saw a record-setting 2023 for tourism, thanks in part to an increase in conventions.

Corrada said markets worldwide are now investing more in marketing to make up for losses during the pandemic, and funding to boost marketing for Florida tourism is crucial to help the state maintain its numbers in future years.