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FL Tourism Through Three Quarters Breaks 88 Million

Gov. Scott touring damage in Key West after Hurricane Irma.
Governor's Press Office

Florida Governor Rick Scott is touting a record tourism despite a challenging Hurricane season.

Florida’s third quarter tourism numbers put 2017’s total visitors at 88.2 million—a record mark and more than three percent higher than at this point in 2016.  Hurricane Irma blew through in September forcing evacuations throughout Florida and leaving mountains of debris in its wake.  Governor Rick Scott chalks up the increase to an ad campaign following the storm assuring potential tourists the state is open for business. 

Last year Florida saw almost 113 million visitors—the sixth year in a row of record growth.

Nick Evans came to Tallahassee to pursue a masters in communications at Florida State University. He graduated in 2014, but not before picking up an internship at WFSU. While he worked on his degree Nick moved from intern, to part-timer, to full-time reporter. Before moving to Tallahassee, Nick lived in and around the San Francisco Bay Area for 15 years. He listens to far too many podcasts and is a die-hard 49ers football fan. When Nick’s not at work he likes to cook, play music and read.