Discover The Palm Beaches (DTPB), the official marketing organisation for Palm Beach County, Florida has reported a rise in the number of UK arrivals since the COVID-19 pandemic, with a 6% increase in visitation for the same time period in 2019. The growth is attributed to pent up demand for Florida travel, coupled with the return of international airlift, the re-deployment of marketing, leisure sales and public relation initiatives during 2022, and a colossal list of destination developments. The collective efforts have led to the welcomed and anticipated return of 19,000 UK visitors from January 2022 to June 2022.
As the second largest international market for The Palm Beaches (behind Canada), a strong first half of 2022 signifies an extremely positive start to the year. The tourism agency also found that UK travellers spent more in 2022 than in recent years, with a spend of nearly $30 million for the first half of 2022 whilst 2019 end of year figures totalled $41.8 million. The tourism agency only anticipates growth for the remainder of the 2022 calendar year. End of 2022 figures will become available next spring.
President and CEO for Discover The Palm Beaches (DTPB) Jorge Pesquera said: “We’re overjoyed to see the much-anticipated return of our UK visitors. After COVID-19 shook up the travel market, we are thrilled to see the increase in visitation and spend through the first half of 2022, and eager to see what year end figures will look like. The fact that the UK remains within our top three markets, only emphasises the Palm Beaches’ appeal to UK travellers.”
Tourism is one of The Palm Beaches’ major industries, the second largest economic driver, generating £4.7 billion a year in direct visitor spending and supporting 70,000 jobs.
For exciting new destination developments, read on here. For more information, visit www.thepalmbeaches.com.
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
Woman dies after going overboard in English Channel