Florida records an unprecedented rise in tourism
According to recent data, Florida has witnessed a significant rise in tourism, with the highest number of tourists visiting the state in the third quarter of this year. This surpasses the previous record by 1.7%, marking three consecutive quarters of record-breaking visitor numbers.
Impressive growth despite hurricanes
What’s interesting is that this rise in tourism comes despite Hurricanes Debby and Helene making landfall in the same quarter. Yet, the state still managed to attract 34.6 million visitors during this period, beating the 34.5 million and 40.6 million visitors recorded in the second and first quarters, respectively.
Domestic and international visitors boost tourism
Furthermore, preliminary estimates indicate a high proportion of domestic visitors, accounting for 92.1% of the total visitor number. International visitors also contributed to the growth, with 5.8% coming from overseas and 2.2% from Canada.
Interestingly, VISIT FLORIDA data reveals a 1.8% increase in domestic visitors compared to the same period last year, with 31.5 million Americans choosing the Sunshine State for their vacation.
Air travel at an all-time high
Air travel to Florida has also hit a record high, with 38.1% of visitors arriving by air – the highest for a second quarter since 2016. Passenger data shows a 5% increase compared to the second quarter of 2023, with 29.2 million visitors traveling by air. Orlando led in passenger traffic, followed closely by Miami.
Clearly, Florida’s appeal as a must-visit state remains unshaken, as demonstrated by the record-breaking number of tourists, both domestic and international. The state’s resilience in overcoming challenges like hurricanes is commendable, and this resilience seems to be an attraction in itself.
