At its annual State of the Travel & Tourism Industry Event held at Jungle Island, the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau celebrated a historic year for Miami-Dade County’s economy. More than 600 attendees, including industry partners, government officials and community leaders, gathered to hear key updates on the region’s booming tourism sector.
Miami-Dade County welcomed over 28 million visitors in 2024, marking the highest number ever recorded in a year. These visitors spent a staggering $22 billion, generating $2.2 billion in local and state tax revenues. The tourism industry now supports more than 209,000 jobs in the county, its largest workforce to date.
“Tourism and hospitality are the lifeblood of Miami-Dade County. Our industry works tirelessly to ensure Greater Miami and Miami Beach remain top global travel destinations, benefiting residents and businesses alike,” said David Whitaker, CEO and President of GMCVB.
Whitaker highlighted that the industry’s economic impact surpassed $31 billion, accounting for 9% of the county’s GDP, a 5% increase from 2023.
The region also achieved top rankings in the hospitality sector. Miami-Dade led Florida in hotel occupancy and placed fourth nationally among the top 25 U.S. hotel markets, with the third highest average daily room rate. Domestic and international visits also increased, with Colombia, Brazil and the United Kingdom markets showing notable growth of 8%, 12% and 10%.
“Our continued success depends on bold marketing, diverse and elevated offerings, a deep commitment to sustainability and the celebration of our diverse cultural assets,” said Julissa Kepner, GMCVB board chair.
Looking ahead, the GMCVB emphasizes key developments aimed at sustaining momentum. The groundbreaking of the new 800-room Grand Hyatt Miami Beach convention center hotel, set to open in 2027, will enhance Miami’s capacity to host global events, conventions and trade shows. The city’s rich calendar of event, including Calle Ocho Music Festival, Latin Grammy’s and Art Basel Miami Beach, significantly contributed to the sector’s success. Looking to the future, Miami-Dade will host high-profile events such as the College Football Playoff National Championship and FIFA World Cup, further boosting the destination’s global appeal.
