Florida hits all-time record of 126 million visitors

The state’s tourism marketing agency reports that Florida welcomed an all-time record number of visitors last year with 126.1 million out-of-state visitors.

Visit Florida’s Feb. 20 announcement marks the eighth consecutive record year for visitation to Florida, exceeding the previous record of 118.8 million visitors in 2017 by 6.2 percent.

The agency also estimated:

• A record 111.8 million domestic visitors traveled to Florida in 2018, reflecting a 7.1 percent increase over 2017.
• Florida saw 10.8 million overseas visitors and 3.5 million Canadians
• Total enplanements at 18 Florida airports during 2018 increased 7.6 percent over the previous year, with a record 93.9 million airline passengers. Florida’s average daily room rate rose 3 percent.

Visit Florida had a $76 million budget for the fiscal year 2018 for its marketing efforts.

The news comes as visitation across South Florida is reaching record highs, according to local tourism bureaus.