Florida sets new six-month tourism record
Florida governor Rick Scott said the state set a new record for tourism in the first half of this year, with 54.1 million visitors.
It is the highest number for any six month period, state tourism agency Visit Florida said, with a 5.8% increase in visitors from January to June.
It puts the Sunshine State firmly on track to reach 100 million visitors for the calendar year.
"We are excited to mark the first half of 2015 with our biggest second quarter ever, and we look forward to exceeding our goal of 100 million visitors to Florida this year," said Gov. Scott.
Domestic arrivals were up 6.7% to 21.9 million while overseas tourists increased marginally to 3.9 million during the second quarter.
"Our growing tourism industry employs over 1.2 million Floridians and is helping us meet our goal of becoming the best place in the world for jobs," Scott added at a media presentation at Miami International Airport.
Job creation in the hospitality industry state wide rose nearly 5% in the second quarter, Scott said.
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