Record year for Florida visitation
Visitation to the Sunshine State rose 3.5% in 2013 to 94.7 million but the biggest growth trend came from overseas.
Speaking at a Universal Orlando Resort media event, Florida governor Rick Scott said 11.5 million overseas travelers visited the state last year, a jump of 11%.
There was also a 4.1% rise in Canadian visitors compared to 2012.
Gov. Scott used the numbers to propose boosting Florida’s tourism budget further from the current $100 million a year in order to "grow more job opportunities for Florida families."
He said one job is created for every 85 visitors to the state.
VISIT FLORIDA, the state’s official tourism marketing corporation, said 23% of the state’s sales tax revenue comes from tourism, and it directly employs over one million people, making it Florida’s biggest industry.
Will Seccombe, CEO of VISIT FLORIDA said he was "incredibly encouraged to see domestic, Canadian and overseas visitor numbers all peaking together in 2013, and we look to make Florida the No. 1 travel destination in the world."
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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