Florida’s Tourism Industry Continues to Boom as State Delivers Another Record Quarter
Once upon a time, not so very long ago, there were real concerns that the tourism industry in Florida would never recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
As the United States grappled with the kind of public health emergency unseen for a century, there was a prevailing notion that the country may never “return to normal.”
With much of the country shut down and communal gatherings either outlawed or at least frowned upon, the tourism industry in Florida was devastated. In March 2020, both Disney World and Universal Studios closed their gates. This was an ominous sign in a dark time.
Florida Sets Another Tourism Record
Thankfully, the world did return to normal, and the Florida tourism industry boomed. Capitalizing on the pent-up demand for travel (dubbed “revenge travel”), Florida’s tourism boomed in 2022 and 2023.
Four years after it looked like Florida would never recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Ron DeSantis announced last week that the Sunshine State saw a record number of visitors in the third quarter of 2024.
“The Free State of Florida continues to break records for tourism,” Governor DeSantis said.
Photo: The Wall Street Journal
“It is a testament to our model, and we will continue to operate our state with common sense, fiscal responsibility, environmental stewardship, and a penchant for freedom.”
A Strong Q3 2024
The state estimates that 34.6 million visitors traveled to Florida in Q3 2024, marking a 1.7% increase over Q3 2023 and setting a new third-quarter record. Looking at the demographics, 31.8 million visitors came from other states, while 2.3 million came from overseas.
The latest figures show Florida’s third consecutive record-setting quarter. Through the first three quarters of 2024, the state has seen an increase of 2 million visitors over the same period in 2023.
“The hard work and resilience of Floridians have been instrumental in keeping our tourism industry strong, showcasing the best of what our state has to offer,” said Dana Young, President & CEO of VISIT FLORIDA.
EPCOT
“Governor DeSantis’ leadership has positioned Florida as a top choice for travelers, and the continued record-breaking tourism numbers reflect that.”
After many feared the worst, Florida’s tourism is thriving. Four years after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the industry is showing no signs of slowing down.
Thanks for visiting MickeyBlog.com! Want to go to Disney? For a FREE quote on your next Disney vacation, please fill out the form below. One of the agents from MickeyTravels, a Diamond level Authorized Disney Vacation Planner, will be in touch soon! Also, thanks for reading!
