Photo: Ahmed Zaggoudi / iStock / Getty Images
FLORIDA - Florida's tourism industry set new records with 34.6 million visitors in Q3 2024, showcasing resilience despite the challenges of hurricane season.
According to projections from Visit Florida, Florida’s tourism industry continues to thrive, welcoming an estimated 34.6 million visitors between July 1 and September 30.
Visit Florida, the state’s tourism marketing agency, says this includes a record-breaking 31.8 million domestic travelers and 2.3 million international visitors, marking a 1.8% increase over the same period last year.
Governor Ron DeSantis celebrated the milestone in a statement, attributing the success to the state’s approach to governance.
“The Free State of Florida continues to break records for tourism. It’s a testament to our model of common sense, fiscal responsibility, environmental stewardship, and freedom,” he said.
Dana Young, president and CEO of Visit Florida, commended Floridians for their resilience, saying, "Their hard work has been instrumental in showcasing the best of what our state has to offer."
Notable growth was reported at Palm Beach International Airport and Pensacola International Airport, reflecting strong traveler demand despite challenges from the active hurricane season, which runs from June 1st to November 30th.
The Fox Forecast Center has flagged Tropical Storm Sara, currently near Jamaica, as a potential hurricane that could impact Florida in the coming days.
Still, the state’s tourism sector remains robust, with year-to-date visitor numbers already two million higher than in 2023.