Industry experts expect the state’s tourism numbers to remain strong this year, following a record-breaking 142.9 million visitors in 2024.
But some local counties are seeing a different picture. Along the Space Coast, Brevard County tourism officials forecast that local tourism may drop because of uncertainty about the economy.
The county’s Tourist Development Council (TDC) said tourist development tax collections were down 7% in February compared to 2024.
Local hotels are noticing reservations are also down compared to last year. Officials with the Brevard County TDC report that consumers making hotel reservations 6-months in advance in popular tourism areas like Cocoa Beach and Cape Canaveral, are also down versus last year.
Not just in Brevard County, but South Florida Tourism officials say they are keeping an eye on which way the economy will go; declining consumer confidence; and concerned about Canadians who may not choose to come to the U.S. as often because of the current trade tariffs put in place by the Trump administration.
TDC officials say if they begin to notice a further decline in tax receipts collected from bed and hotel tax, then their concerns become real.
Local tourist officials are hopeful that proposed funding through Visit Florida to attract visitors to the state will remain in place and not be cut.
Travel agents say if U.S domestic and international travel slows down, this will have a negative impact on Florida.
As of now, international travel to the state is still on target to grow, but much still remains, with potential impacts from tariffs and other policies.
Some international flight bookings to the U.S. have seen significant declines, potentially impacting Florida’s international tourism.
According to a study commissioned by the Office of Tourism, tourist coming to Brevard County has a benefit of 46,000 direct and spinoff jobs, with $1.5 billion a year in tourism-related wages. About 30% of the sales tax and 20% of the gas tax collected in Brevard County are paid by tourists.
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