Florida is a state in the southeastern region of the United States of America. It is known for its beautiful beaches, theme parks, and sunny weather.
Tourism is a significant part of Florida’s economy and accounts for a large portion of its income. In this article, we will explore how much of Florida’s income comes from tourism.
What is Tourism?
Before we dive into the numbers, let’s first understand what tourism means. Tourism refers to the activities people engage in when they are traveling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for leisure, business, or other purposes.
Tourism in Florida
Florida has been a popular tourist destination for many years because of its warm climate, beautiful beaches, and world-class attractions such as Walt Disney World and Universal Studios. According to Visit Florida, the official tourism marketing corporation for the state of Florida, over 131 million people visited Florida in 2019. This number includes domestic visitors from other states within the US as well as international visitors.
How Much of Florida’s Income Comes from Tourism?
Tourism is a significant contributor to Florida’s economy and accounts for a large portion of its income. According to Visit Florida, tourists spent $91.3 billion in 2018 alone. This spending generated $11.8 billion in state and local tax revenue.
In 2019, tourism accounted for approximately 13% of Florida’s gross domestic product (GDP), which measures the total value of goods and services produced within a state or country. The travel and tourism industry provided jobs for over 1.5 million Floridians in 2019.
The Impact of COVID-19 on Tourism
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on tourism worldwide, including in Florida. With travel restrictions and shutdowns imposed to curb the spread of the virus, many people were unable or unwilling to travel.
According to Visit Florida, in the second quarter of 2020, the number of visitors to Florida decreased by 60.5% compared to the same period in 2019. This decline resulted in a loss of $6.8 billion in spending and $1.3 billion in tax revenue.
The Road Ahead
Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, Florida’s tourism industry is slowly recovering. As more people are vaccinated and travel restrictions are lifted, we can expect to see an increase in tourism activity.
In conclusion, tourism is a significant part of Florida’s economy and accounts for a large portion of its income. It has provided jobs for millions of Floridians and generated billions of dollars in tax revenue. While the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on tourism worldwide, we can hope that with time, the industry will recover and continue to thrive in the Sunshine State.