Florida has once again achieved record-breaking tourism numbers in the third quarter of 2024, as announced by Governor Ron DeSantis. The state saw a total of 34.6 million visitors, which is a 1.8% increase compared to the same period last year, marking the highest visitation ever recorded for a third quarter.
The rise in tourism was driven by 31.8 million domestic visitors, alongside 2.3 million overseas visitors and 582,000 Canadian travelers. This trend signifies the third consecutive quarter of record-setting visitation for Florida and highlights growth in both domestic and international travel sectors.
Governor DeSantis commented on this achievement: “The Free State of Florida continues to break records for tourism,” adding that it reflects their operational model based on "common sense, fiscal responsibility, environmental stewardship, and a penchant for freedom."
Dana Young, President & CEO of VISIT FLORIDA, attributed the success to the efforts of Floridians: “The hard work and resilience of Floridians have been instrumental in keeping our tourism industry strong," she said. She also praised Governor DeSantis' leadership in making Florida a preferred destination for travelers.
According to VISIT FLORIDA’s latest estimates:
- A total of 34.6 million people visited Florida in Q3 2024.
- Domestic visitor numbers increased by 1.8%, reaching 31.8 million.
- Overseas visitor figures rose by 1.9% to reach 2.3 million.
- Canadian visitor numbers went up by 2.5%, totaling 582,000.
Domestic tourists constituted approximately 91.8% of all visitors during this period; overseas tourists made up about 6.6%, while Canadians represented around 1.7%.
Additionally, total enplanements at Florida's major airports climbed to approximately 25.6 million during Q3 2024—a growth rate of about 1.3% from last year—with significant increases noted at Pensacola and Palm Beach airports.