Governor Ron DeSantis has announced that Florida achieved record-breaking tourism numbers in 2023. Tourists spent $131 billion, marking a 5% increase over the previous year, and generated $36.9 billion in local, state, and federal tax revenue. Governor DeSantis stated, "Florida can’t be beat. I’m proud of this new record set for the state. Everyone loves the free state of Florida."
Dana Young, President and CEO of VISIT FLORIDA, emphasized the significance of these figures: "The numbers speak for themselves: Florida’s tourism industry is unmatched. Thanks to the Governor’s leadership, our state has surpassed expectations year after year." She credited the success to the dedication of tourism partners and Florida's appeal as a top destination.
Key data from 2023 shows that Florida's tourism industry had an economic impact of $127.7 billion, a 5% increase from 2022. Domestic visitors contributed $116.1 billion while international visitors added $14.9 billion to the economy. For every dollar spent by tourists, 97 cents remained in Florida's economy; 58 cents went towards worker salaries and 13 cents were collected as taxes.
Tourism accounted for $36.9 billion in taxes last year and visitors spent an average of $359 million daily in Florida. The industry was responsible for 9.5% of jobs statewide, supporting 2.1 million jobs and providing $76.4 billion in wages and salaries.
In terms of employment impact, one out of every seven private sector jobs was supported by tourism activities in 2023. Additionally, it resulted in tax savings amounting to $1,910 per household across Florida.