2008 FIRST QUARTER VISITATION NUMBERS RELEASED BY VISIT FLORIDA
May 15, 2008
Contact:
GOVERNOR'S PRESS OFFICE
(850) 488-5394
TALLAHASSEE – Preliminary estimates of visitors to Florida released by VISIT FLORIDA®, the state’s official tourism marketing corporation, show an estimated 23.8 million people visited the Sunshine State in the first quarter (January, February and March) of 2008. This represents an increase in visitation of 3.4 percent as compared to the same period in 2007.
"This news speaks to the powerful combination of Florida's status as premier destination and a strong marketing effort in the face of ever-increasing competition," said Governor Charlie Crist.Although not included in its quarterly reports, VISIT FLORIDA also announced the percentage of Florida residents who reported taking a pleasure trip was up 9.2 percent during the first quarter. Of those, the percentage who vacationed in Florida increased by 10.5 percentage points, which represents an increase of an estimated 1.2 million in-state person-trips."The increase of in-state travel is consistent with the trend we see in vacationers staying closer to home," Nicki E. Grossman, VISIT FLORIDA’s board chairman and CEO of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau.Overseas travel increased by 2 percent, bringing the number of overseas visitors to Florida to 931,000. Canadian travel to Florida during first quarter of 2008 reflected a 5.5 percent increase in air visitors and an 8.0 percent increase in non-air visitors, equating to 6.6 percent growth overall."Florida’s growth in tourism demonstrates it is a mainstay of Florida’s economy," said Representative Dean Cannon. "The visits of international travelers, in particular, are helping improve Florida's economy in this challenging time."Preliminary data collected at Florida's 14 major airports reflected a 5.0 percent increase in total enplanements to Florida. Similarly, the estimate of domestic air visitors increased by 3.5 percent and non-air visitors rose 3.1 percent.About Visit Florida VISIT FLORIDA is the official tourism marketing corporation for the state of Florida. VISIT FLORIDA promotes tourism to Florida through sales, advertising, promotions, public relations, new product development and visitor services programs. As a public/private partnership VISIT FLORIDA has more than 3,400 tourism industry partners. To learn more about VISIT FLORIDA, visit www.VISITFLORIDA.org.
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