On February 20, 2026, Governor Ron DeSantis announced remarkable news regarding Florida's tourism industry, revealing that the state welcomed a record 143.3 million tourists in 2025, surpassing previous figures from 2024 by a marginal increase of 0.2%. This influx is attributed to strong travel patterns, both domestic and international, highlighting Florida’s appeal as a prime travel destination. The announcement was made based on preliminary data released by VISIT FLORIDA, which is a key agency monitoring tourism metrics in the state.

The fourth quarter of 2025 proved especially robust, with Florida recording 33.5 million tourists, marking it as the highest quarterly total for that period. This surge in visitor numbers underscores the resilience of Florida’s tourism sector, particularly following challenges posed by the pandemic in previous years. Governor DeSantis emphasized that the strong numbers reflect a successful strategy in promoting Florida as a safe and attractive location for vacations, benefiting local economies significantly and generating millions in revenue.

The tourism data also indicates a dominant trend of domestic travel, as U.S. travelers accounted for 91.5% of all visitors, totaling approximately 131.1 million tourist arrivals from within the United States. This statistic illustrates Florida’s strong local market, which is bolstered by its diverse attractions ranging from theme parks to natural landscapes. As a result, the state continues to thrive in attracting domestic tourists, proving its sustained popularity among American vacationers.