Good News For Florida - Tourism is Up

Finally, Florida is getting a little happy news. In the wake of a steady flow of adverse economic reports, this month brings a bright spot—tourism numbers.

According to Visit Florida, the official marketing corporation for the state, visitors to Florida increased 6.9 percent for the second quarter of 2011 (April-June). That translates to 21.2 million people vacationing in the state. It is what makes tourism Florida's number one industry.

People are choosing Florida for its sunshine and warm beaches, and they are coming from all over.

Preliminary estimates show a 5.3 percent increase for domestic visitors, a 17.3 percent increase from the overseas market and an 18.4 percent increase in visitors from Canada. Domestic visitors account for 85.4 percent of the total number, or 18.1 million people.

Through a press release, Florida Governor Rick Scott applauded the news.

"Tourism is a cornerstone of the Florida economy," Scott Said. "Visitors create jobs for Floridians and tourism has been the leading industry in job creation every month this year."

Florida tourism has been outperforming the rest of the United States by more than one percent. The state has been steadily regaining its market share since January.

Visit Florida estimates the number of hotel rooms booked in the state is up nearly seven percent from this same time last year. Rooms sold in the rest of U.S. also increased, but not as much as Florida—only by 5.8 percent.