Florida's Tourism Boom: St. Petersburg-Clearwater & Punta Gorda Lead the Way
Florida's tourism scene is booming, with two destinations in particular seeing significant increases in visitors. St. Petersburg-Clearwater has witnessed a 14% rise in passengers at St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE), while Punta Gorda has emerged as the fastest-growing destination in the USA, with a 22.5% increase in airside visitors.
The Sunshine State's appeal is evident in the numbers. The Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach metropolitan area saw the most substantial growth in tourist numbers during the second quarter of 2021, with cities like Miami and Fort Lauderdale leading the way. However, it's the smaller destinations that are catching the eye.
St. Petersburg and Clearwater, located north of St. Petersburg, offer unique attractions. Clearwater Beach, with its soft, fine white sands and iconic Pier 60, is a postcard-ready destination. Meanwhile, St. Petersburg boasts 7 miles of uninterrupted beachfront and cultural gems like the Dali Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts. Affordable flights with Allegiant Air, starting as low as $35 one-way, are also drawing visitors.
Punta Gorda, too, is luring tourists with its affordable flights, starting as low as $38 from cities like Cincinnati and Indianapolis. The city offers cultural experiences such as the Blanchard House African-American Museum and the Old Charlotte County Courthouse, along with beautiful beaches like Englewood and Don Pedro Island State Park.
With Americans flocking to the United States in record numbers—34.5 million visitors between April and June alone—it's clear that the state's appeal is stronger than ever. While Miami and Fort Lauderdale remain popular, it's the rising stars like St. Petersburg-Clearwater and Punta Gorda that are capturing the attention of travelers seeking affordable, culturally rich, and beach-filled experiences.
