Saturday, November 18, 2023
Governor Ron DeSantis announced that Florida has achieved record visitation numbers in the third quarter of the year, with an estimated total of 35.1 million visitors between July and September 2023. This includes 32.2 million domestic visitors, 2.2 million overseas visitors, and 666,000 Canadian visitors. The state has also surpassed overall annual visitation records, welcoming 105.2 million visitors in 2023, which is 724,000 more than the first nine months of 2022.
Governor Ron DeSantis says, “Florida continues to set records for visitation because of our commitment to allowing visitors to enjoy their travels without arbitrary government restrictions”.
Dana Young, President and CEO of VISIT FLORIDA, emphasized that VISIT FLORIDA’s collaborative efforts with local tourism partners not only showcase the beauty of the Sunshine State but have also contributed to the growth in visitation from global travelers. She adds, “Because of the visionary leadership of Governor DeSantis, whose Freedom First policies led our state to record numbers of visitors in the past, Florida has secured a new normal with an elevated market share of tourism, especially international tourism.”
Highlights from VISIT FLORIDA’s latest visitation estimates for Q3 2023 include:
• An estimated 35.1 million visitors to Florida in Q3 2023, a 1.6% increase from the same period in 2022, and an 8.0% increase from the same period in 2019.
• A total of 105.2 million visitors in the first three quarters of 2023, with 96.4 million domestic visitors, 6.0 million overseas visitors, and 2.8 million Canadian visitors.
• Travel spend in Florida is up 11.3% compared to Q3 2019, outpacing the U.S. average of 3.9%. Florida also surpasses the competition, with travel spending in California and New York down 3.2% and 1.2%, respectively.
• Q3 visitation estimates include 32.2 million domestic visitors, 2.2 million overseas visitors, and 666,000 Canadian visitors.
• Overseas and Canadian visitors in CY 2023 increased by 19.3% and 60.3%, respectively, compared to the same period in 2022. The overall visitor increase is 0.7% from the first nine months of 2022.
• Domestic visitors accounted for 91.8% of visitors in Q3 2023, with overseas visitors at 6.3%, and Canadians at 1.9%.
Tags: florida, Ron DeSantis
Tuesday, January 2, 2024
