Meanwhile, an estimated 1 million Canadians – itemized separately in terms of international visitors – came to Florida in the fourth quarter, bringing the 2022 total to 2.749 million. By comparison, however, 4.09 million Canadians flocked to Florida in 2019, or about a one-third decline in Canadian visitors in two years.
“While there still is a way to go, Florida is significantly outperforming the rest of the nation (in international travel), which is down a whopping 39.9%,” Young told members of the Visit Florida Board of Directors during a meeting at the Palm Beach County Convention Center. “So, what we’re doing is working, and we’re going to continue to be focused on this upward trajectory.”
Florida topped the nation in international tourists based on market share, drawing 44.6%. New York, which was long the top destination of international travelers, attracted about 22% of the market.
“This is a huge strategic advantage that we’ve built from hard work during these difficult years,” Young said. “For the rest of the country, Florida was open, and we have seized on that. So, now our challenge is to maintain these advantages, maintain these market-share wins and not take our foot off the gas.”
By Jim Turner
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