TALLAHASSEE, Fla., Feb. 27 -Governor Jeb Bush announced today that the preliminary number of Florida visitors in 2005 hit a new record-high of 85.8 million, an increase of 7.6 percent over the same period in 2004, according to research from VISIT FLORIDA, the state's official source for travel planning. This is the first time annual visitation to Florida has exceeded the 80 million mark.
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"These record-breaking tourism numbers represent a significant milestone for our tourism industry, contributing to Florida's booming economy," said Governor Bush. "The unyielding efforts of the state's tourism industry and the unparalleled hospitality of Floridians continue to ensure Florida's place among the world's most popular vacation destinations."
Domestic travel to Florida increased 7.7 percent to more than 79 million in 2005 with domestic visitors representing 92 percent of total visits to Florida. Internationally, an estimated 2.1 million Canadians visited Florida in 2005, an 8.2 percent increase from 2004. Overseas travel to Florida increased by as much as 6.3 percent over 2004, to 4.7 million in 2005.
VISIT FLORIDA reports that enplanements to Florida's 14 largest airports showed a 7.8 percent increase over 2004 with more than 66.6 million enplanements. Ten out of fourteen of Florida's major airports had increased enplanements in 2005. From entry-level employees to top-level executives, 944,500 people with a combined income of more than $15.4 billion are employed statewide in the tourism field.
Research also revealed that fourth quarter (Oct.-Dec.) 2005 visits to Florida increased 0.7 percent compared to the same quarter in 2004.
Preliminary estimates are issued 45 days after the end of each calendar quarter. Final estimates are released when final data are received for all estimates in the report.
VISIT FLORIDA, the state's official source for travel planning, is the premier sales and marketing organization that promotes tourism to Florida through sales, advertising, promotions, public relations, new product development and visitor services programs both domestically and internationally. Working with the worlds' major travel writers, media and broadcasters to produce print and broadcast paid and earned media, VISIT FLORIDA programs reach more than two billion potential visitors each year. VISIT FLORIDA maintains a domestic office in Tallahassee, and has international offices in Germany, London, Paris, Montreal, Toronto and a dedicated office in Miami serving Latin America. VISIT FLORIDA has more than 3,300 tourism industry Partners and four major strategic alliances with American Express Travel Related Services, AirTran Airways, Dollar Rent A Car, and Hertz. To learn more about VISIT FLORIDA, visit the media section at media.VISITFLORIDA.org or view the consumer web site at http://www.VISITFLORIDA.com.
