August 27, 2024
Florida is reporting some of the best tourism numbers in the state’s history. 75 million visitors traveled to Florida during the first half of 2024. Because of this unprecedented level of travel, the state is likely to outpace last year’s total of 140.6 million visitors.
Fort Lauderdale is benefiting from this robust demand and several major improvements totaling at least $4 billion in new projects will accelerate our city's tourism economy over the next several years.
Here’s what will continue to drive Fort Lauderdale’s tourism growth:
Connecting Major Tourism Assets and Improving the Visitor Experience
FLL broke ground in 2023 on its 5th terminal, part of the airports’ masterplan to increase its capacity within the next two decades from 35 million annual passengers to over 50 million per year. This project combined with the airport's new intermodal center and terminal connectors will elevate the experience at FLL.
The Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center is currently undergoing a $1.3 billion expansion that will be complete in late 2025 with an additional 525,000 square feet of meeting space, a new 801-room Omni Hotel, a prominent waterfront plaza, and more.
Port Everglades, one of the world's busiest cruise ports, is projected to serve more than 4 million passengers next year and continues to add new cruise lines and ships.
Broward County Transit is planning to implement a light rail system to connect FLL, Port Everglades, and the Convention Center.
Fort Lauderdale’s Growing Hotel Inventory
Downtown Fort Lauderdale has tripled its supply of hotel rooms since 2018 and is positioned to add 4 new hotels within the next few years, increasing its supply of rooms by 40%.
Fort Lauderdale Beach has about 2,000 new hotel rooms in the development pipeline.
More flights. More cruise ships. More meeting space. More hotel rooms. Connected by transit.
These exciting developments will continue to shape Fort Lauderdale as a destination of choice for out-of-town visitors.