Page last updated: 16 July 2024
Orlando, Florida, known as “The Theme Park Capital of the World,” is a top tourist destination in the United States. With attractions such as Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort, and SeaWorld, it consistently draws families and adventure seekers year after year.
How many people visit Orlando each year?
Over 74 million tourists travelled to Orlando in 2023.1
- In 2018, Orlando welcomed a total of 75.04 million visitors, and the number slightly improved to 75.8 million in 2019.
- However, the onset of the pandemic in 2020 saw that figure fall sharply to 35.28 million as travel restrictions tightened.
- As conditions began to improve, 2021 saw an uptick to 59.30 million visitors.
- In 2022, as the world grew more accustomed to the new normal, the city welcomed an impressive 74.04 million visitors, almost mirroring pre-pandemic numbers.2
- In 2023, Orlando welcomed 74 million visitors and maintained its status as the country’s most visited destination with international visitors booming to 6.13 million, a 25% increase compared to 2022.
How much do visitors spend in Orlando every year?
Visitors spent over $55.49 billion during trips to Orlando in 2022.3
- Total tourism expenditure in 2018 amounted to $47 billion, rising to $47.99 billion in 2019.
- The following year, reflecting the downturn in visitor numbers, spending dropped to $23.18 billion amid travel restrictions.
- As restrictions began to ease in 2021, tourist spending increased to $40.30 billion.4
- By 2022, expenditure had ballooned to $55.49 billion, showing the economic recovery within the tourism sector.
- Annual tourism revenue statistics for 2023 are not yet available as of the current year.
Where do visitors to Orlando come from?
Orlando primarily attracts visitors from Canada, the United Kingdom, Brazil, Mexico, and Colombia.
- In 2019, Orlando welcomed 1.22 million Canadian visitors, but the figure dropped to 368,000 in 2020. UK visitor numbers also saw a steep decline, from 1.02 million to 151,000 over the same period.
- By 2022, the number of visitors began to rebound to near pre-pandemic levels, with Canada and the UK showing remarkable recovery. Over 861,000 visitors from Canada and 809,000 visitors from the UK were recorded. Followed by visitors from Brazil (575,000), Mexico (394,000), and Colombia (287,000).
- Out of 6.13 million international visitors in 2023, around 1.3 million were from Canada. Followed by the United Kingdom with 900,000 visitors. Next were Brazil, Mexico and Colombia.
How many people visited Orlando in 2022?
Orlando greeted approximately 74 million tourists in 2022.
- This number reflects a nearly 25% increase from the 59.3 million visitors that the city hosted in 2021, indicating a convincing return towards pre-pandemic tourist volumes.
How much did visitors spend in Orlando in 2022?
Orlando’s visitors contributed a substantial $55.49 billion to the local economy in 2022.
- This marked a 37.7% increase from 2021’s spending of $40.30 billion and represented a growth of roughly 15.6% from 2019.
Impact of Coronavirus – Orlando Tourism Statistics 2020 and 2021
- The 2020 pandemic led to a drastic 53% drop in tourism in Orlando, with visitor numbers falling to 35.28 million from the previous year. This decline was mirrored in expenditure, with 2020 seeing a drop to $23.18 billion from 2019’s $47.99 billion, marking a 52% reduction in tourist spending.
- Despite these challenging numbers, Orlando showed signs of resilience and recovery in 2021. The city welcomed 59.3 million visitors, showing a recovery of 68% compared to 2020’s low. Financially, tourism expenditure rebounded to $40.30 billion.
How long do visitors stay in Orlando?
- To enjoy all of Orlando’s attractions, visitors need at least 5 days to experience the city, especially popular attractions such as Disney World and Universal Studios.
USA Travel Resources
How popular is Orlando as a tourist destination?
- Orlando ranked as the #1 U.S travel destination in 2022, attracting 74 million visitors.
The Economic Impact of Tourism in Orlando 2022
- Orlando is the largest travel and tourism city destination in America, contributing $31 billion or 20% of the city’s GDP. This represents a $2.7 billion increase over pre-pandemic levels.5
Top Attractions in Orlando
- Universal Orlando Resort: A top entertainment destination featuring two theme parks (Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure) and a water theme park (Volcano Bay), alongside numerous dining and entertainment options.
- Walt Disney World Resort: Stands as an iconic attraction with four theme parks (Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom), plus two water parks (Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon), complemented by a wide selection of hotels and dining experiences.
- SeaWorld Orlando: A marine zoological park with a theme park, offering close encounters with marine life, exhilarating rides, and educational shows.
- Crayola Experience: Located at the Florida Mall, the Crayola Experience offers a vibrant and interactive creative adventure that’s fun for families.
- Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park: Known for its surf pool and family-friendly rides, Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park is one of two beloved water parks at Walt Disney World Resort.
Popular US Tourist Attractions
- Disneyland Resort Statistics
- Grand Canyon Statistics
- Statue of Liberty Statistics
- Yellowstone National Park Statistics
- Walt Disney World Statistics
- Universal Orlando Statistics
- Universal Studios Hollywood Statistics
America Travel Statistics Resources
- Canada Statistics
- Mexico Statistics
- Panama City Statistics
- Peru – Machu Picchu Statistics
- United States Statistics
References
- BusinessOrlando: Annual Visitor Volume ↩︎
- VisitOrlando: Visitor Volume and Origin Market- 2018 to 2022 ↩︎
- VisitOrlando: Economic Impact of Tourism in Orlando – 2022 ↩︎
- VisitOrlando: Visitor Volume and Spending – 2017 to 2021 ↩︎
- WTTC: Travel & Tourism GDP contributions of Orlando ↩︎