In Trend's Time: 55 years of Florida business history

Tourism... Then and Now

Heads in Beds
» In 1961, 12.8 million visitors came to Florida and stayed an average of more than two weeks — 15.6 days. More than a quarter of them had never been to the state before, and only 4% came from abroad. That year the top five reasons for visiting Florida (in order) were: Beaches/swimming, atmosphere of relaxation and fun, fishing, commercial attraction, picnicking.

» In 2012, 91.5 million visitors came to Florida. Only 5% were first-time visitors, and their average length of stay was five days. Some 15% came from overseas. Last year, the No. 1 country of origin for overseas visitors was Brazil, compared to the U.K. in 1983. Tourists’ top five reasons for coming? Beach/waterfront, shopping, culinary/dining, visit friends/relatives, touring/sightseeing.

» Orlando has 450 hotels and 115,200 rooms, second nationally only to Las Vegas’ 150,481. The Orlando Visitors Bureau says there are also more than 26,000 vacation home rentals and more than 20,000 vacation ownership units.

The Seminoles and Miccosukees Thank You
» The Seminole Tribe of Florida opened its first high-stakes bingo hall and casino in the U.S. in Hollywood in 1979, after winning a court challenge. Today, the Seminoles operate seven casinos in Florida, including the Seminole Casino Coconut Creek, the Seminole Classic Casino in Hollywood and the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Tampa, which is their biggest moneymaker. In 2012, the gaming venues generated $1.96 billion in gross revenue. The Seminole tribe no longer officially releases the amount of its dividend, but in 2008, every man, woman and child in the 3,700-member tribe received $126,000 in annual dividends, according to filings in a lawsuit.

The Arisons Thank You, Too
» Between 1989 and 2011, the number of cruise ship passengers embarking from Florida’s ports nearly doubled, from 6.7 million to 12.7 million.

Rack Rates
» The average daily room rate in Florida in 1986 was $58.47 ($120.50 in 2012 dollars). The average daily room rate in Florida in 2012 was $113.14.

Tax-onomy
» In 1987, 28 counties collected the local option tourist development tax. In 2012, 62 counties collected it. Only Calhoun, Hardee, Lafayette, Liberty and Union counties don’t collect the tax.

Built It and They Came
» Three Florida shopping centers are on the International Council of Shopping Center’s Shopping Center Today list of the world’s highest grossing by sales per square foot. The Whitman family’s Bal Harbour Shops in north Miami-Dade is No. 1 on the globe at $2,555 per square foot. Forbes’ Mall at Millenia in Orlando is 10th at $1,250 per square foot. Turnberry’s Aventura in Aventura is tied for 15th at $1,100 per square foot.