By: Paulo Prada
Source: floridatrend.com
Despite optimistic signs for the U.S. economy, the recession continues to cloud Florida’s hopes that a busy summer travel season will revive its struggling tourism industry.
Florida’s hotels, theme parks and restaurants have suffered as out-of-state travelers vacation closer to home, or spend less time and money on trips to the Sunshine State. With tourism generating as much as 15% of total state tax revenue, and responsible for as many as one million jobs, many see the tepid summer season as evidence that good times are still a long way off.
Rising in-state tourism has made up for a small fraction of the drop in visitors coming from farther away. Even so, visits by non-Floridians are expected to have fallen by as much as 9% during the fiscal year ended June 30, according to the state legislature’s Office of Economic and Demographic Research. Tax receipts from tourism and recreation-related activities in the state’s current fiscal year are expected to fall by more than $235 million, or 6%.
