Florida Tourism Statistics

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.

Florida draws 130 million to 143 million visitors a year¹.

• Florida welcomed a record 143.3 million visitors in 2025, up 0.2% on 2024², made up of 130.9 million domestic, 9.3 million overseas and 3.2 million Canadian visitors³ (VISIT FLORIDA revised estimate, May 2026).
• That edged past the previous record of 143.0 million visitors set in 2024, which had itself beaten the 140.6 million of 2023.⁴
• Those 140.6 million visitors in 2023⁵ were in turn up from 137.5 million in 2022.
• Before the pandemic, 2019 was the peak year, with 117.2 million domestic, 9.8 million overseas and 4.1 million Canadian visitors.
• Visits fell 39.4% to 79.4 million in 2020, then rebounded 53.4% to 121.8 million in 2021.
• Growth continued with 137.5 million visitors in 2022, up 12.8%, and a further 2.3% rise to 140.6 million in 2023.

How many people visited Florida in 2026 so far?

In the first half of 2026 (January to June), an estimated 73.5 million visitors traveled to Florida, down 1.4% on the 74.5 million of the same period in 2025⁶ (VISIT FLORIDA preliminary estimates, August 2026).

• Q1 2026 brought 39.88 million visitors, down 1.0% on VISIT FLORIDA’s revised Q1 2025 estimate².
• Q2 2026 brought 34.01 million visitors, down 0.7% on Q2 2025, made up of 31.08 million domestic, 2.21 million overseas and 721,000 Canadian visitors⁷.
• Canadian visitation for the half year was 1.68 million, down 13.9%, while overseas visitation stayed 2.2% ahead of 2025⁶.

How many people visited Florida in 2025?

In 2025, a record 143.3 million visitors traveled to Florida, a 0.2% increase on 2024², made up of 130.9 million domestic, 9.3 million overseas and 3.2 million Canadian visitors³ (VISIT FLORIDA revised estimate, published May 2026).

The year opened strongly: in the 1st quarter of 2025 (January to March 2025), 41.19 million visitors traveled to Florida.⁴

• The first quarter included 37.85 million domestic visitors, 2.11 million overseas visitors, and 1.23 million visitors from Canada.⁴
• Visitation stayed at record levels through the year: 34.4 million visitors in Q2⁸, 34.3 million in Q3⁹ and 33.5 million in Q4 2025¹⁰.

Spending trends among tourists in Florida have closely mirrored the visitor arrival patterns with some exceptions in pandemic years¹³.

• In 2017, out-of-state visitors spent approximately $88.6 billion in Florida. This figure rose to $94.1 billion in 2018 and further increased to $98.8 billion in 2019.¹⁴
• The year 2020 witnessed a decline in visitor spending to $63.7 billion, down 36%, as COVID-19 cut visitor numbers by almost 40%.
• Interestingly, 2021 marked a rebound, with visitor spending bouncing back to $105.1 billion, up 65% and above 2019, followed by $124.9 billion in 2022 and $131.0 billion in 2023¹⁴. The growth continued into 2024, with out-of-state visitor spending reaching $134.9 billion, up 3.0% on 2023 and 28% above 2021, and the economic impact from tourism advancing to $133.6 billion.¹⁵
• Regionally, Central Florida (Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties) recorded $62.9 billion in direct visitor spending in 2025, up 5% on 2024, for a total economic impact of $98.6 billion¹⁶; statewide 2025 spending has not yet been published.

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 the survey's respondents, who included Florida residents as well as visitors, said social media influenced their decision to visit Florida. Many of these respondents cited relaxation, family time, and stress relief as their primary travel motivations¹⁹.

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.

• Florida had more cities than any other state in Tripadvisor's Summer Travel Index 2025: Panama City Beach, Key West and Clearwater ranked among the top 10 domestic destinations for U.S. travelers, and four Florida spots, led by Fort Walton Beach, were among the ten fastest-growing.²⁰
• Orlando remained the most visited destination in the U.S., welcoming a record 76.7 million visitors in 2025.²¹
• St. Augustine ranked #1 in Southern Living's top 10 Florida cities for a getaway (May 2026) and was voted the No. 1 Best Small Town in the South by Southern Living readers (March 2026).²²
• Home to Florida's own tourism honors: VISIT FLORIDA's annual Flagler Awards recognize outstanding Florida tourism marketing,²³ and its Florida Tourism Hall of Fame has honored the figures who shaped the state as a visitor destination since 2001.²⁴

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 Orlando: 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.