United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
Florida posts another first quarter tourism record
Florida kicked off 2018 with another record-high quarter for visitor arrivals.
Gov. Rick Scott revealed an impressive 33.2 million tourists visited the Sunshine State in the January-March period, which is a rise of 7.4% on last year.
"This historic tourism number demonstrates the momentum that our state has built. Since December 2010, Florida has created more than 1.5 million jobs, and a large part of this growth is because of the incredible success of our state’s tourism industry," Scott said.
Florida saw increases in both domestic and overseas markets.
The 29.1 million domestic visitors represented year-over-year growth of 8.5% while visitation from key market Canada was also up.
"This record setting quarter of 33.2 million visitors to our state, the largest quarter in our state’s history, shows that Visit Florida is marketing our state like never before," said ken Lawson CEO of marketing agency Visit Florida.
"We will continue developing more innovative and cutting-edge marketing programs to build on this success across the country and across the world."
The record figures were aided by added air capacity with Florida’s 18 major airports handling 7.6% more passengers than a year ago.
There was also Q1 2018 growth recorded in hotel rooms sold and hotel occupancy rates across the state.
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
Boy falls to death on cruise ship
Dozens fall ill in P&O Cruises ship outbreak
Turkish Airlines flight in emergency landing after pilot dies
Unexpected wave rocks cruise ship
Woman dies after going overboard in English Channel