FLORIDA TOURISM ON RECORD PACE

According to preliminary numbers released by VISIT FLORIDA today (Aug. 15), 23.4 million visitors came to Florida in the second quarter of 2013 (April-June), an increase of 2.6% over the same period in 2012, making Q2 2013 the largest second quarter for visitation in the state’s history. Through the first half of 2013, Florida welcomed 49.6 million visitors — an increase of 4.2%. Visitor spending in Florida for January-May 2013 (last reported month) was $33.2 billion, representing a year-over-year increase of 5.5% from the same period in 2012.

An estimated 19.7 million domestic visitors came to Florida during the second quarter of 2013, representing a 1.6% increase from the same period in 2012. Florida welcomed 2.7 million overseas visitors in Q2 2013 representing a 9.3% increase over Q2 2012, and one million Canadian visitors during the same period represent a 4.9% increase. (http://www.VISITFLORIDA.org)