Florida is a popular tourist destination, known for its beaches, theme parks, and warm weather. But with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a lot of uncertainty about the state of tourism in Florida. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at whether tourism is up in Florida or not.
Impact of COVID-19 on Tourism
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the travel industry worldwide, and Florida is no exception. The state’s tourism industry suffered greatly due to lockdowns and travel restrictions put in place to curb the spread of the virus. Many attractions were closed or operated at limited capacity, leading to revenue losses for businesses and job losses for workers.
Current State of Tourism in Florida
As the world continues to grapple with the pandemic, some restrictions have been lifted, and people are starting to travel again. So how is tourism faring in Florida?
According to recent data from Visit Florida, the state’s official tourism marketing corporation, there has been a gradual increase in visitors since the start of 2021. In fact, during the first quarter of 2021 (January-March), Florida welcomed over 28 million visitors – an increase of 9% compared to the same period last year.
Domestic vs International Visitors
Most of these visitors were domestic travelers from other states within the US. International visitors have been slower to return due to ongoing travel restrictions and concerns about safety.
However, there are signs that international travel may soon pick up as well. In May 2021, Governor Ron DeSantis announced that he would be lifting all COVID-related restrictions on businesses and allowing cruise ships to resume operations from US ports. This could potentially lead to an influx of international tourists visiting Florida’s ports.
Conclusion
While it’s still too early to say that tourism in Florida has fully recovered, there are definitely some positive signs. The increase in domestic visitors and the potential return of international travelers is a good sign for businesses and workers in the state’s tourism industry.
As always, it’s important to prioritize safety and follow guidelines from health officials to ensure that the recovery continues. But for now, it looks like things are starting to look up for Florida’s tourism industry.