State sets new benchmark for second-quarter visitation, cementing position as nation’s premier travel destination
Florida has shattered another tourism record, welcoming an unprecedented 34.4 million visitors during the second quarter of 2025, Governor Ron DeSantis announced this week. The milestone represents the highest second-quarter visitation in state history and continues Florida’s remarkable streak of breaking tourism records.
The record-breaking numbers further cement Florida’s reputation as the nation’s premier travel destination, with the state showing no signs of slowing down after already setting multiple tourism records throughout 2024 and early 2025.
Historic Achievement Spans April Through June
The 34.4 million visitors who flocked to the Sunshine State between April and June 2025 represent the highest second-quarter visitation in state history, surpassing all previous records for that three-month period.
“Florida continues to lead the way as the nation’s top travel destination,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “People from all over the world come to the Free State of Florida to take advantage of our top-tier attractions, great weather, and our commitment to public safety. Today’s record numbers are a testament to the work we’ve done to make Florida the most appealing state to visit in the nation.”
Breaking Down the Numbers
The visitor breakdown reveals a diverse mix of domestic and international travelers:
- Domestic travelers accounted for 91.5% of total visitation, with 31.5 million Americans visiting the state
- Overseas visitation rose by 11.4% over the year to reach 2.3 million
- An additional 640,000 Canadian visitors visited Florida
The strong international growth is particularly noteworthy, with overseas tourism showing robust recovery and expansion compared to the same period in 2024.
Infrastructure and Transportation Growth
Florida’s tourism infrastructure demonstrated its capacity to handle the record influx of visitors. Florida’s 19 commercial airports handled 28.6 million total plane arrivals during the second quarter.
Airport growth was particularly strong in several markets, with Punta Gorda (+22.5%) and St. Petersburg-Clearwater (+14.0%) seeing the fastest growth.
The domestic travel patterns showed a domestic air/non-air ratio of 37.7% / 62.3%, indicating that the majority of domestic visitors arrived by car, showcasing Florida’s accessibility from neighboring states.
Part of Continuing 2025 Success Story
The second-quarter record builds on an already exceptional year for Florida tourism. Florida welcomed 41.2 million visitors in the first quarter of 2025, setting the stage for what could be another record-breaking annual total.
Combined with the second quarter’s 34.4 million visitors, Florida has now welcomed approximately 75.6 million visitors in the first half of 2025 alone, putting the state on track for potentially reaching almost 165 million visitors for the full year.
2024’s Record-Setting Foundation
The current success builds on 2024’s record-breaking performance when Florida saw 143 million visitors, an increase of 1.7% over 2023. The 2024 total included 130.65 million domestic travelers, 8.94 million overseas visitors, and 3.41 million Canadian tourists.
The fourth quarter of 2024 also set a new benchmark with 33.1 million visitors, surpassing the previous record for a Q4 period, demonstrating consistent growth across all seasons.
Tourism Industry Leadership Celebrates
“Florida’s tourism industry is strong thanks to strong state leadership under Governor DeSantis,” said Bryan Griffin, President and CEO of VISIT FLORIDA. “We are committed to keeping Florida the destination of choice for visitors from across the country and around the world as we promote our world-class amenities, unique natural and historical sites, and family-oriented opportunities.”
International Travel Trends
While overall numbers show strong growth, international visitor numbers to Florida declined during the first quarter of 2025 when compared to the same period in 2024, though this trend appears to have reversed significantly in the second quarter with the 11.4% overseas visitor growth.
Canadian visitation showed 1.227 million Canadians traveled to Florida during the first quarter, down about 3.4 percent from 1.269 million in the same period a year earlier, though these numbers appeared to stabilize in the second quarter.
Looking Ahead
The governor’s office said the state is “positioned for even greater success as the most visited destination in the United States.”
With two quarters of record-breaking performance already in the books, Florida appears positioned to potentially set another annual tourism record in 2025, building on its status as America’s premier vacation destination.
The consistent growth across multiple quarters and visitor categories demonstrates Florida’s broad appeal to diverse traveler segments, from families seeking theme park adventures to international visitors exploring the state’s beaches, cultural attractions, and natural wonders.
