(The Center Square) – Tourism in Florida was record-setting in 2024, with nearly 3 million more than ever before to set a new mark of 142.9 million.
Gov. Ron DeSantis said 30 million came in the fourth quarter and 3 million throughout the year from overseas.
“We’re really excited that our tourism industry is humming,” DeSantis said at an appearance at the Miami International Boat Show on Wednesday.
The governor said a new boater freedom initiative would treat “boaters like adults” in a state with the nation’s largest recreational marine industry. Part of that package would be a right to boat law that would preempt any local ordinances about the sale of gas-powered boats.
The governor also wants changes to the state law that allows state and local maritime law enforcement units to pull over boaters without probable cause and conduct inspections. The potential bill would end the practice of safety inspections as probable cause for pulling a boat over on the state’s waterways.
“People that are out enjoying themselves, they should not be subjected to these intensive searches,” DeSantis said. “This is a fair and balanced approach. If someone is breaking the law, they’ll be held accountable.”
He also proposed a “Florida Freedom” boat sticker program that would allow boaters to get an inspection from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
He said eliminating many of these on-water inspections by commission officers would allow them to pursue more important cases and better protect wildlife.
The governor touted his “Freedom Summer” tax holidays for summer-related recreational items that he wants renewed by lawmakers. He also wants a holiday on gas for boats that would run from Memorial Day until July 4.
The marine industry, according to DeSantis, generates $31 billion for the Florida economy, a 53% increase since 2018. He credits this increase to 2020, when people left states with tight COVID-19 lockdowns and moved to Florida.
DeSantis ordered a lockdown that April, with a phased reopening starting the following month. He closed schools shortly after the March outbreak and they remained so through the end of the school year. He was one of four governors to reopen schools to begin the fall semester.
Still, the restrictions were far less than most states.
DeSantis also said the industry supports 7,000 marine businesses with 100,000 jobs.
