Florida Tourism Still Struggling Despite Early 2021 Improvement
The COVID-19 Pandemic had taken a massive toll on the American Economy; one such victim being Florida’s tourism market. Despite early 2021 improvements, Florida’s tourism is still struggling.
Continue to the end of this article to plan your Disney vacation today with Mickey Travels, and help Florida continue to bounce back!
For a state like Florida, there is a constant and heavy reliance on the tourism industry to fuel much of the state’s economic ecosystem.
A global pandemic, stay-at-home orders, and a near country-wide shutdown brought the entirety of the tourism industry to a screeching halt.
The first three months of 2021 brought encouraging signs, as small improvements showed consumers’ cooperation in the industry’s rejuvenation.
Despite the glimmer of hope, continued aftershocks have delivered a 14 percent drop in visitors to the state from one year ago; showing that Florida’s Tourism continues to Struggle
From the start of the year to March 31st, Florida drew 26.16 million visitors; down from the 30.4 million tourists during the first quarter of 2020 according to tourism marketing agency Visit Florida.
March 2020 presented the first sign of trouble for tourism in Florida, as the number of tourists fell to a near-crippling 9.92 million in the second quarter of 2020.
A 69.4 percent drop from the previous year, the number slowly rejuvenated with 20.33 million in the third quarter. Finishing off with 19.096 million in the fourth quarter.
Visit Florida’s most recent estimates account for revisions in the leisure and hospitality industries; two areas that were perhaps the most glaring victims of tourism decline.
The agency’s estimation in March calculated 86.714 million visitors for the year of 2020. Accounting for the recent revisions, that number shrinks to a mere 79.75 million; a 39.3 percent drop from 2019.
The states lowest recorded visitors in a decade, the pandemic halted Florida’s continued streak of nine consecutive years that saw an increase in visitors; reaching its apex with 131.4 million the year preceding the pandemic.
2021’s early signs of restoration were bolstered by the 25.56 million interstate travelers; a primary target for a company like Visit Florida since last summer, with east coast regions of a drivable distance being the focus of their efforts.
Visit Florida CEO and President Dana Young, in a statement on Monday, indicated that the numbers recorded in the year’s first quarter indicate,”a better recovery than expected.”
Young continued, “Visit Florida’s efforts have been crucial for the gains we have achieved in our economic recovery, and the state’s increased investment in Visit Florida this coming fiscal year will ensure we can continue delivering results for every sector of our tourism industry.”
Florida’s tourism industry has required equal parts of hope and perseverance. Book your Disney vacation today with Mickey Travels using the information below!