United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
Florida Keys confirms October 1 for tourism re-opening
The Florida Keys has formally announced it will reopen to general tourism on Sunday, October 1.
Restoration efforts are still continuing after the Category 4 Hurricane Irma, however most immediate infrastructure repairs are almost complete, and almost all power and water has been restored from Key Largo through Marathon and throughout Stock Island and Key West.
“We know we have a long way to go before the Keys fully recover but because tourism is our top economic engine and many of our residents’ livelihoods depend on it, we also know that we need to begin asking visitors to return,” said Monroe County mayor George Neugent.
Although an official reopening date has been set, visitors should still call ahead to confirm hotels and attractions are open, officials said.
Key West cruise port and Key West and Marathon airports have resumed operations.
Key Largo’s Humphrey Bogart Film Festival, Fantasy Fest and Marathon’s Stone Crab Eating Contest are all scheduled to take place as planned during October.
Bridges on the Florida Keys Overseas Highway have passed inspections although motorists are advised to stay off minor roads in the Lower Keys and parts of Marathon as restoration work may still be taking place.
Related News Stories:
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Kittipong Prapattong’s Plan for Thailand’s Tourism Growth: Taxes, Visas, and Campaigns
James Jin: Didatravel’s Journey from China to Global Reach and the Impact of AI on Travel
Darien Schaefer on Pensacola’s Evolution: From Small Town to Global Destination
Florida Tourism’s Next Frontier: Dana Young on Expanding Beyond the Classics
Patrick Harrison on Tampa Bay Tourism’s Resilience and Marketing Strategy
Bubba O’Keefe on Clarksdale’s Vibrant Music Scene
Commemorating Elvis and Embracing Tupelo’s Culture with Jennie Bradford Curlee
Craig Ray and the Expansion of the Blues Trail
Presenting Mississippi’s Cultural Trails with Katie Coats
Robert Terrell: A Journey Through BB King’s Influence
Rochelle Hicks: Celebrating Mississippi’s Musical Legacy
Exploring Jacksonville with Katie Mitura: The Flip Side of Florida
Dozens fall ill in P&O Cruises ship outbreak
Turkish Airlines flight in emergency landing after pilot dies
Boy falls to death on cruise ship
Unexpected wave rocks cruise ship
Storm Lilian travel chaos as bank holiday flights cancelled