Staff Reports
A half-dozen major tourism and hospitality industry associations are teaming up to host an expo emphasizing the economic impact tourism has on Florida’s economy.
The Florida Tourism Day Expo will be held from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday on S. Adams Street between Jefferson Street and College Avenue. The event is free and open to the public.
The expo is a joint effort of the Florida Attractions Association, Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association, Florida RV Park & Campground Association, Florida Association of Museums and Destinations Florida as well as VISIT FLORIDA, the state’s tourism marketing arm.
Event organizers say the event will feature a series of booths and interactive exhibits, food and beverage samples, games, live music and entertainment, mascots, animal encounters and giveaways.
“Tourism is the economic powerhouse of Florida, generating billions in revenue, creating jobs, and keeping taxes low for residents. Following a day of advocacy at the Capitol, join representatives of Florida’s tourism industry at the first-ever Florida Tourism Day Expo, which will showcase the vital role tourism and tourism marketing play in our thriving economy,” reads a news release announcing the expo.
Ahead of the expo, tourism industry representatives will be at the Capitol for Florida Tourism Day, a day of advocacy, programming and legislative meetings highlighting Florida tourism.
According to VISIT FLORIDA, an estimated 142.9 million travelers visited Florida last year, an increase of 1.6% over 2023 and a new record for the state.
VISIT FLORIDA also measured overall tourism spending at $131 billion in 2023, the most recent year for which there is detailed spending data. Visitor spending directly and indirectly supports more than 2.1 million jobs in the state.
