“We live where you vacation” is not just an Instagram caption. It’s now confirmed to be reality as Florida has shattered tourism records.
According to the numbers, tourists chose Florida as their vacation destination, and Republican Party of Florida Chair Evan Power (R) agrees that Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) is to thank.
The Florida Governor announced the record-breaking visitation numbers from 2023, showing that tourists to Florida spent a record $131 billion in the sunshine state. This is an increase of 5% over 2022. In addition, there was $36.9 billion in local, state, and federal tax revenue.
The stats also revealed that tourism activity resulted in $1,910 in tax savings per household in Florida, and visitors spent an average of $359 million per day in the sunshine state.
In a message to supporters, Chair Powers pushed back against previous arguments claiming that Florida was a “dangerous” state to visit according to the NAACP. In early May of 2023, the NAACP issued a travel advisory to the sunshine state, warning that "Florida is openly hostile toward African Americans, people of color and LGBTQ+ individuals."
“If the left cared about Floridian’s jobs, they would’ve fought where it counts – the ballot box,” the message reads. “Instead, the left tried to attack our people’s livelihoods with no regard for consequences.”
The Republican chair went on to argue that Governor DeSantis and the GOP “put our heads down, kept working, and ensured that this November election was an overwhelming red wave in Florida.”
Florida has remained the epicenter of the political landscape long after the November election, sending numerous lawmakers to higher offices within the incoming Trump Administration.
