Florida’s tourism industry is making an impressive recovery from the pandemic, with a record-breaking year in 2022.
According to VISIT FLORIDA estimates, the state welcomed 137.6 million visitors, a 5% increase over 2019 and a 12.9% increase over 2021.
In the fourth quarter of 2022, Florida saw a 6% increase in visitors from the same period in 2021, with 33.2 million travelers, marking the sixth consecutive quarter of overall visitation surpassing pre-pandemic levels.
Domestic visitation continues to drive the remarkable increase in tourism in Florida, which has been growing for 21 months straight since 2019.
There were 30.1 million domestic visitors in Q4 2022 alone. In contrast, overseas visitation is still down about 28% versus 2019, with the US down nearly 40%.
Nonetheless, the 2.0 million overseas travelers in Q4 2022 represent a 35.5% increase from Q4 2021, while 1 million Canadian visitors also visited during the same quarter, an increase of 278% from Q4 2021.
The increase in tourism is great news for private campground owners and operators in Florida.
The growth in visitors will likely translate into increased demand for camping and recreational opportunities, resulting in more business for these owners and operators.
Additionally, hotel room nights sold increased by nearly 13% in 2022 compared to 2021, and occupancy rose by 9.4% to 70.5%, which shows the high demand for accommodation in Florida.
Private campground owners and operators can take advantage of this boom by investing in their facilities to attract and retain more customers.
This can involve adding more amenities and facilities, such as swimming pools, playgrounds, and hiking trails, to make their campgrounds more attractive to tourists.
Florida campground and RV park owners and operators can also venture into experiential hospitality, focusing on providing guests with a unique experience.
Florida’s tourism industry is bouncing back strongly, with record-breaking visitor numbers in 2022. With the state’s economy heavily reliant on tourism, this growth will benefit Floridians.
