(Source: floridapolitics.com) Sector expected to recover by 2024. The ongoing pandemic has capsized Florida tourism, a sector responsible for 15% of sales tax collections ($3.8 billion) in 2018-19. The industry was down more than 30% in the 10 months of receipts during the virus crisis.
For the state’s coffers, that presents an existential problem that will not be especially short-term.
From 2000 to 2019, tourism doubled, with more than 130 million visitors two years ago. By Q3 of 2020, tourism somewhat recovered from the height of COVID-19 shutdowns, but was still way down, especially regarding people flying. Air traffic was 34% what it was the year before in the same quarter. And that’s the problem, notes a state economist.
“People who fly into Florida typically spend more money in Florida and stay in Florida longer,” noted Amy Baker of the Office of Economic and Demographic Research.
Per a presentation in the House Tourism, Infrastructure, and Energy Committee, “Florida’s tourism-sensitive economy is particularly vulnerable to the longer-term effects of the pandemic.”
If that’s the case, it sets Florida on a challenging path in terms of revenue through the 2022 elections and well beyond. Nevada and Hawaii, two tourism centers in their own rights, may have been hit harder. But for Florida, the pandemic impact will be greater than for many places.
In terms of tourism, this is the latest spoke in a cycle of death and rebirth.
Baker noted disruptions had happened before, such as in 2001. Growth after the Great Recession was dramatic, coming after a “flattening out” of tourism at the end of last decade
“It grew very, very strongly at rates we hadn’t seen, all the way through 2019,” Baker said, with growth at 6% a year and overseas and international travel being especially robust.
While recovery is certain, Baker notes “we’re in a bad place right now.”
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