With its miles of sandy beaches, vibrant culture, glorious weather, and endless attractions, the Sunshine State has long been one of the most popular tourist destinations in America, and Florida tourism continues to go from strength to strength.
Almost half (44.6%) of America’s overseas travellers visited Florida in 2021 (a total of 4 million), according to data from the International Trade Administration’s National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO).
With thriving tourism comes a strong demand for short-stay accommodation. This makes vacation rentals in Florida an extremely attractive venture for investors. But where, in Florida, are tourists flocking?
Most Popular Cities
Travel publication platform, Trips to Discover, has compiled data from the NTTO to uncover the ten most visited metropolitan areas in the state.
Top of the list was Miami. With 2,759,000 visitors, the Magic City is not only the most popular destination in Florida but also the most visited city in the nation. Tourism bounced back strongly following the Covid-19 pandemic with an 88.7% increase in visitor numbers in 2021. Miami tourists also accounted for 30% of all overseas visitors to the U.S. It looks like this coastal metropolis, known for its pristine beaches, warm weather, and vibrant nightlife, is not losing its appeal any time soon.
Coming in at second place is Orlando, Florida’s “entertainment capital”. Orlando racked up an impressive 1,223,000 visitors in 2021, which also made it the third most-visited city in the country.
Tourists are enticed here by extravagant theme parks, sprawling shopping centres and a diverse dining scene. (The city also expanded its offering in 2023 with 23 new experiences for travellers.)
Now one you might not be as familiar with, Fort Lauderdale ranked as the third most visited city in Florida, and the fifth in the U.S., thanks to its best-in-the-nation beaches.An extensive canal network has earned Fort Lauderdale its reputation as the “Venice of America.” It is also a popular Spring Break destination.As well as placing third, Fort Lauderdale saw the largest growth in tourist numbers out of all ten most visited cities, with a whopping 173.51% increase in 2021.
Tampa came fourth with a respectable 190,000 visitors, followed by West Palm Beach, Naples, and Jacksonville.
North Port and Cape Coral ranked 8th and 9th respectively. Whilst considerably smaller than the likes of Miami, Orlando, and Naples, these cities in the southwest have a lot to offer holidayers. North Port boasts stunning natural beauty and unique travel experiences, such as hiking and kayaking. Meanwhile, Cape Coral is surrounded by small islands for visitors to explore.
Rounding off the list is Key West, an island in the Straits of Florida and the state’s southernmost point. Although Key West ranked as the 10th most visited city in Florida, it was the only destination to experience negative tourism growth (-56.48%) in 2021.
A Prime Location for Investment
With its beautiful coastal destinations and thriving tourism, Florida is a very attractive place to own property. Better still, Florida rental markets are some of the hottest in the U.S., and it is the only state expected to buck America’s negative house price trends.
Whilst major cities like Miami and Orlando will always be a strong bet, the smaller but thriving communities of Southwest Florida also offer attractive opportunities for investors. If you’d like to find out more about property investment in Florida, get in touch and one of our property consultants will be happy to discuss this further.
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