Miami-Dade tourism generates $23 billion in visitor spending

Greater Miami and Miami Beach recorded $23 billion in visitor spending in 2025, a 4% increase over 2024 and 27% above pre-pandemic levels in 2019, according to figures released by the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB).

The figures were highlighted during the GMCVB’s annual meeting on November 10 at Nu Stadium at Miami Freedom Park, where more than 700 tourism partners, government officials and community stakeholders gathered to discuss the industry’s economic contributions and outlook for 2027.

Miami-Dade County welcomed 28 million visitors in 2025, with tourism supporting approximately 216,000 jobs, representing 10% of all employment in the county. The industry also generated $5.3 billion in annual tax revenue across county, state and federal governments.

According to the GMCVB, tourism-related tax revenue contributes to an average annual sales tax savings of $2,300 per household, or $809 per person.

Leisure travel accounted for 71% of all visitors to Miami-Dade County, while domestic travelers represented 78% of total arrivals. Florida residents accounted for 32% of visitors, with international travelers making up the remaining 22%.

International tourism also showed growth during the first half of 2026, with the destination welcoming 3.2 million international visitors, a 3% increase over the corresponding period in 2025.

Colombia, Canada, Brazil, the United Kingdom and Mexico were the top five international overnight visitor markets, while New York, Washington, D.C., Boston, Chicago and Atlanta led domestic overnight travel.

GMCVB President and CEO David Whitaker said the destination's hotel industry continues to perform strongly compared with other major U.S. markets.

“Greater Miami and Miami Beach continues to strengthen its position as a leading global tourism destination as evidenced by the performance of our hotel industry in the top 25 U.S. hotel markets. Among these markets, our properties rank among the top six for hotel occupancy and in the top four for average daily room rate – which is up 9% year over year,” Whitaker said.

The meetings and conventions sector also contributed significantly to tourism activity. During fiscal year 2025-2026, Miami-Dade County secured 785 meetings and conventions, generating a combined 520,000 hotel room nights and attracting approximately 586,379 attendees. Future bookings extend through 2034.

Looking ahead, the GMCVB identified several major sporting events, conventions and infrastructure developments expected to support tourism growth in 2027.

Among the highlights are the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl in January, the Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix, the Miami Open, the 25th anniversary of the Life Time Miami Marathon, NASCAR Championship Weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway and the FIFA Women's Champions Cup Miami 2027.

The destination is also preparing to host PCMA Convening Leaders in January 2027, following major gatherings such as Adobe MAX in November 2026 and the G20 in December 2026.

Another significant development is the anticipated opening of the Grand Hyatt Miami Beach Convention Center Hotel in late 2027, which is expected to strengthen the destination's ability to attract large conventions and business travelers.

Arts and cultural tourism will remain a priority, with events such as Art Basel Miami Beach, Noche de Arte and No Vacancy Miami Beach forming part of the destination's promotional strategy.

“As we look ahead to 2027, I’m energized by the possibilities that convention travel, arts and culture and entertainment experiences offer visitors,” Whitaker said.

The annual meeting also featured remarks from Miami Mayor Eileen Higgins, Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner, Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and Florida State Sen. Ana Maria Rodriguez, who emphasized tourism's importance to the local economy.

GMCVB Board Chair Julissa Kepner said collaboration among industry stakeholders would remain essential to maintaining the destination's international competitiveness.

“The strength of the GMCVB is rooted in the strategic partnerships that help bring Greater Miami and Miami Beach to life. Looking ahead to 2027, continued collaboration across our tourism community, paired with innovative marketing, will be essential to highlighting the destination’s diverse offerings, reaching new audiences and strengthening our presence in the global travel market,” Kepner said.

The meeting also recognized PortMiami Director and CEO Jonathan Daniels as an incoming GMCVB board member. Daniels brings more than three decades of experience in maritime transportation, logistics and economic development.