FL Sees Highest Level of Domestic Tourism Ever in 2021
February 15, 2022 Updated 3:00 P.M. ET
FORT WALTON (FCV) – Tuesday, Governor Ron DeSantis (R) announced that Florida saw the highest level of domestic tourism ever recorded in the state in 2021.
Last year, 117.7 million domestic tourists visited the Sunshine State. In Quarter 3 and Quarter 4 of 2021, Florida tourism exceeded that of the corresponding 2019 pre-pandemic quarters. Domestic tourism in Quarter 4 2021 was 7% higher.
The soaring tourism Florida saw during the COVID-19 pandemic comes as no surprise to Florida Republicans and those who encouraged reopening of economies in 2020 and 2021. Democrats pushed to keep businesses locked down and masks mandated in places like schools and businesses.
Many of these Democrats who supported restrictions were part of the tourism soar in 2021, likely representing a desire from even left-wingers to escape the failure of their own lockdown and mandate policies during the pandemic.
Some of these Democrats that were caught vacationing include Democrat operative Lindy Li, Michigan Governor Gretchen Witmer, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, CNN’s Don Lemon, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY), and Representative Eric Swalwell (CA).
According to a tourism flyer provided by DeSantis’ office, international travel to Florida totaled 1.5 million overseas travelers, which was a 43% increase compared to Quarter 3 2021. Colombia was Florida’s top international origin market with 709,00 visitors, the most ever recorded.
Hotel revenues totaled $17.3 billion dollars, the most ever reported.
