Revised tourism data shows Canada delivered more to Florida than expected

Florida’s tourism industry continues to post record-level performance, but newly-released data from VISIT FLORIDA places particular emphasis on a stronger-than-expected recovery in Canadian travel demand.

Updated 2025 estimates and preliminary first-quarter 2026 figures show Canada remains one of Florida’s most important international visitor markets, with earlier declines proving smaller than first believed.

VISIT FLORIDA revised its 2025 visitation estimates after identifying undercounting issues tied to delayed reporting from Ontario border kiosks and travel survey limitations, states a press release.

Initial estimates suggested Florida received 2.904 million Canadian visitors in 2025, creating concerns over a substantial drop in travel demand.

Updated analysis now shows the actual figure was considerably stronger:

• Previously estimated Canadian visitation (2025): 2,904,000
• Revised actual Canadian visitation (2025): 3,174,000
• Increase over original estimate: approximately 270,000 additional visitors

According to VISIT FLORIDA, the discrepancy stemmed partly from delays in final reporting from Ontario border kiosks that affected quarterly travel surveys.

The updated methodology also captured changing travel patterns among Canadians, particularly travellers who cross into the United States by car before taking flights onward to Florida.

Early 2026 figures

Preliminary data for the first quarter of 2026 suggests Canada continues to provide meaningful support to Florida’s tourism economy despite the market’s high-profile backlash to tariffs and U.S. President Donald Trump’s annexation threats.

From January through March 2026, Canadian visitation reached an estimated 1.05 million travellers, accounting for 2.6 per cent of all Florida visitors during Q1 2026

Another record rear

VISIT FLORIDA’s updated numbers also show that Florida achieved another record in overall visitation in 2025.

Revised estimates indicate a total 2025 visitation of 143.33 million visitors, showing a year-over-year growth of +0.2 per cent.

The state’s tourism performance appears to be benefiting from resilient domestic travel alongside expanding international markets.

The United Kingdom and Ireland, for one, have “performed exceptionally well” for Florida visitation, says VISIT FLORIDA.

In 2025, the state welcomed 1.2 million UK visitors (a 5.9 per cent year-over-year increase) and 92,000 Irish visitors (a 9.6 per cent year-over-year increase).

In Q1 2026, UK visitation is up again, increasing by 17.2 per cent from Q1 2025. Irish visitation is also up 14.5 per cent in Q1 2026.

Don't miss a single travel story: subscribe to PAX today!  Click here to follow PAX on Facebook.