JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The US unemployment rate dropped to 3.6% in March, and with more people working, Don Wiggins, the CEO of Heritage Capitol Group, predicts this will boost tourism rates in the Sunshine State.
“The tourism is definitely going to make a comeback — it already has made a comeback,” said Wiggins.
Right now, there’s an uptick in air travel.
According to the Transportation Security Administration, the strongest travel demand is for domestic and short-haul international trips.
Fluctuating fuel prices is making airfare more expensive.
Wiggins believes this will draw in tourism locally.
“That’s going to limit how far they’re willing to travel. So, I think you’re going to see more people stay closer to home just because of that,” said Wiggins.
In 2021, Visit Jacksonville, the city’s public-private tourism marketing agency, reported a strong return of tourism.
The agency reported more than 164,167 hotel bookings through the city.
Read more…