Capitol Chatter: July 27

State economists say tourism could slip
Tourism has been one of the bright spots in Florida's modest economic recovery. It bounced back more quickly and has been strong the past few years.

However, seemingly intractable economic and financial problems in Europe are expected to put a dimmer on that bright spot over the next two years.

State economists are predicting a slowdown in tourist travel to Florida from all European countries, not just the southern tier of countries that are in the most trouble. Germany and Great Britain are two of the biggest overseas tourist feeders to Florida, and residents from those countries and Europe as a whole will be less apt to travel here through 2014 because of weak economies and uncertainty in the Eurozone. The economists predict a 2% decline in overseas travel to Florida.