Page last updated: 2 June 2025
Florida, well-known as the Sunshine State, continues to attract visitors with its world-class attractions, from Orlando’s magical theme parks to the beautiful beaches of the Keys.
How many people visit Florida each year?
Around 130 million to 143 million visitors travel to Florida each year.1
- In 2024, a total of 143.0 million tourists visited Florida, setting a new record and surpassing the previous high of 140.6 million visitors in 2023.
- Approximately 140.6 million tourists visited Florida in 2023, setting what was then a new record for the state’s highest visitation surpassing the 137.41 million visitors recorded in 2022.
- Before the COVID-19 pandemic, 2019 marked a high point, with Florida hosting 9.8 million overseas visitors, 117.2 million domestic visitors, and 4.1 million Canadian visitors, highlighting its appeal as a leading travel destination.
- However, the COVID-19 pandemic caused a drop in visitation in 2020, with only 79.4 million visitors, a 39.42% decrease from 2019. Visitor numbers began to rebound in 2021, with 121.8 million visitors, showing a 53.41% increase over the previous year.
- In 2022, the state welcomed 137.4 million visitors, marking a 12.78% increase from 2021, and continued with a 2.34% increase to 140.6 million in 2023.
How many people visited Florida in 2025?
From the 1st quarter of 2025 (January to March 2025), 41.19 million visitors traveled to Florida.
- This total includes 37.85 million domestic visitors, 2.11 million overseas visitors, and 1.23 million visitors from Canada.
2025 Quarter | Domestic Visitors | Overseas Visitors | Canadian Visitors | Total Visitors |
Q1 | 37.85 M | 2.11 M | 1.23 M | 41.19 M |
Q2 | – | – | – | – |
Q3 | – | – | – | – |
Q4 | – | – | – | – |
How many people visited Florida in 2024?
In 2024, a total of 143.0 million visitors traveled to Florida, setting a new all-time visitation record for the state.
This total includes:
- 130.7 million domestic visitor
- 8.9 million overseas visitors
- 3.4 million Canadian visitors
Compared to 2023, when Florida welcomed 140.6 million visitors, this reflects a 1.71% increase in total visitation, continuing the state’s steady post-pandemic tourism growth.
How much do visitors spend in Florida every year?
Spending trends among tourists in Florida have closely mirrored the visitor arrival patterns with some exceptions in pandemic years.2
- In 2017, tourists contributed approximately $85.9 billion to Florida’s economy. This figure rose to $91.6 billion in 2018 and further increased to $96.4 billion in 2019.
- The year 2020 witnessed a decline in tourism contribution to $61.7 billion.
- Interestingly, 2021 marked a rebound, with visitor expenditure bouncing back to generate $101.9 billion to Florida’s economy. The growth continued into 2024, with the economic impact from tourism advancing to $124.9 billion.
How much did visitors spend in Florida in 2024?
- Visitors contributed over $142.9 billion to Florida’s tourism in 2024. This was a 23% increase from 2021’s $101.9 billion.
What countries do visitors to Florida come from?
- Canada has consistently been the leading source of international visitors to Florida, with the exception of 2021, when Colombia briefly took the lead with 709,000 visits, just ahead of Canada’s 584,000. Other notable markets that year included Mexico (389,000 visitors), Peru (261,000), and Ecuador (237,000).
- The trend shifted back in 2022, as 2.6 million Canadians led the way again. They were followed by the United Kingdom with 1.1 million, Brazil with 709,000 tourists, Colombia with 560,000 tourists, and Mexico with 443,000 tourists.
- In 2024, Canada strengthened its lead with 3.41 million visitors, once again the top international source market for Florida. Other leading countries included:
- Brazil – 1.18 million visitors
- United Kingdom – 1.14 million visitors
- Colombia – 619,000 visitors
- Mexico – 594,000 visitors
Why do people visit Florida?
People visit Florida for a variety of reasons, as revealed by a University of Florida survey. Some of these include Florida’s:
- Beautiful beaches and famous theme parks like Walt Disney World and Universal Studios in Orlando;
- Diverse natural landscapes, including the Everglades;
- Cultural events and festivals;
- Historical attractions, and outdoor activities;
- Space launches at Kennedy Space Center.
- Scenic road trips along the Overseas Highway, A1A Coastal Byway, and Nature Coast.
Florida is also a winter haven for those looking to escape colder climates, known as “snowbirds.”
Specifically, 40% of visitors are influenced by social media to visit Florida. Many of these respondents cited relaxation, family time, and stress relief as their primary travel motivations.3
Impact of Coronavirus – Florida Tourism Statistics 2020 & 2021
- Due to COVID-19, tourist numbers fell to 79.4 million in 2020, a 39.42% decrease from 2019. Spending also dropped to $61.7 billion, a 36% decrease from the previous year.
- In 2021, Florida’s tourism saw a rebound with 121.84 million visitors, up 53.41% from 2020. Interestingly, spending also soared to $101.9 billion, a 65% increase, surpassing even 2019’s figures and indicating a strong demand for travel to Florida.
How popular is Florida as a tourist destination?
Florida remains one of the most popular and celebrated tourist destinations in the United States and the world, both for visitor volume and industry recognition.
- Cities like Orlando, Miami, and Tampa ranked among the top U.S. travel destinations for summer 2025 (Orlando ranked #1).
- St. Augustine named #1 Florida town for weekend trips and ranked among the top small towns and most beautiful cities in the U.S.
- Florida beaches and attractions like Vilano Beach, Discovery Cove, and Universal Islands of Adventure are consistently top-rated on Tripadvisor.
- Winner of multiple tourism awards including World Travel Awards, Flagler Awards, and inductees in the Florida Tourism Hall of Fame.
- Recognized for outstanding tourism marketing and innovation, reinforcing its global appeal.
What are the top attractions to visit in Florida?
Here are some of the top attractions you shouldn’t miss when visiting Florida:
- Walt Disney World: The jewel in Orlando’s crown, this world-famous theme park is a dream destination for families, which features various parks including Magic Kingdom and EPCOT.
- Universal Studios: Offers immersive experiences with rides and attractions themed around popular movies and films.
- Miami Beaches: Known for their stunning landscapes, lively nightlife, and Art Deco buildings, these beaches offer both relaxation and entertainment.
- Kennedy Space Center: This renowned NASA facility near Orlando provides a peek into space exploration, ideal for anyone captivated by science, history, or technology.
- Everglades National Park: A UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its vast wildlife, including alligators and Florida panthers.
Florida Travel Resources
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One-way car rentals in Florida
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When is the best time to visit Florida?
- The best time to explore Florida is between March and May. During these spring months, Florida experiences good weather with minimal rainfall, making it an ideal period for outdoor activities and sightseeing.
What is the best month to visit the Florida Keys?
- The best months to visit the Florida Keys are also from March to May. These months offer warm but comfortable temperatures, perfect for water activities and island hopping, while avoiding the high risks of the hurricane season, which runs from June to November.
When is the best time to visit Destin, Florida?
- April to June marks the best time to visit Destin. These months allow visitors to escape crowds before the peak summer season begins and enjoy beaches and outdoor attractions with good weather conditions.
When is the best time to Visit Orlando, Florida?
- The best times to visit Orlando are from March to May and from September to November. These periods offer fewer crowds at the city’s famous theme parks and attractions, along with more pleasant weather than the hot summer months.
Florida Travel Statistics Resources
- Destin Statistics
- Key West Statistics
- Miami Statistics
- Orlando Statistics (incl. Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World)
America and USA Travel Statistics Resources
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- Yellowstone National Park Statistics
References
- VisitFlorida: Visitation Estimates – Trends and by Origin ↩︎
- VisitFlorida: Tourism’s Contribution to Florida’s Economy ↩︎
- UFL: Survey reveals why people choose to visit Florida ↩︎