Global-stage events, destination-wide collaboration and continued global recognition helped drive $23 billion in visitor spending and strengthen the destination’s worldwide appeal

MIAMI – (Nov. 10, 2026) – Greater Miami and Miami Beach’s visitor industry and local government leaders convened at Nu Stadium at Miami Freedom Park on Tuesday, Nov. 10, for the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau’s (GMCVB) Annual Meeting, highlighting tourism’s far-reaching impact on the community from job creation and education opportunities, to supporting resident quality of life and helping fund vital local programs and organizations. Results for 2025 showed visitor spending reached $23 billion across lodging, food and beverage, retail, transportation and entertainment – up 4% over 2024 and 27% over pre-pandemic 2019 numbers.

The Annual Meeting brought together more than 700 tourism partners and community stakeholders to recognize the industry’s contributions to Miami-Dade County and its continued growth. Remarks from Miami Mayor Eileen Higgins, Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner, Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and State Senator Ana Maria Rodriguez emphasized tourism’s central role in supporting the local economy and quality of life.

For the first six months of 2026, the destination welcomed 3.2 million international visitors, up 3 % over the same period last year. The top five international overnight visitor markets are Colombia, Canada, Brazil, United Kingdom and Mexico. Leading domestic overnight markets include New York, Washington, D.C., Boston, Chicago and Atlanta.

During the 2025 time frame, Miami-Dade County welcomed 28 million visitors, generating significant economic benefits for local businesses, supporting jobs and contributing to an average annual sales tax savings of $2,300 per household, or $809 per person.

Key leisure travel, meetings and convention tourism highlights during that period include:

• 71% of all travelers to Miami-Dade County traveling for leisure.
• Domestic demand remained strong: Domestic travelers represented 78% of total visitors with Florida residents accounting for 32%. International visitors made up the remaining 22%.
• 216,000 jobs supported by tourism, representing 10% of all jobs in Miami-Dade County.
• $5.3 billion in tax revenue generated annually across county, state and federal governments.
• A total of 785 meetings and conventions were booked across Miami-Dade County during fiscal year 2025–2026, generating a combined 520,000 room nights and attracting approximately 586,379 attendees, with future bookings extending through 2034.

“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,” said GMCVB President & CEO David Whitaker. “As we look ahead to 2027, I’m energized by the possibilities that convention travel, arts and culture and entertainment experiences offer visitors. Our destination offers so much that make us unique, and we’ll continue sharing that story with the world, giving visitors and residents alike the freedom to dream and discover all that we have to offer.”

As part of its year-end 2026 and 2027 tourism outlook, the GMCVB shared several key initiatives and opportunities that will help shape the year ahead, spanning major conventions, destination experiences and arts and cultural programming. Highlights included:

• The importance of securing and hosting several major conventions and conferences, including Adobe Max in November 2026, the G20 in December 2026 and PCMA Convening Leaders in January 2027, along with the anticipated late-2027 opening of the Grand Hyatt Miami Beach Convention Center Hotel.
• The College Football Playoff semifinal in January 2027 hosted at the Capital One Orange Bowl, Formula 1 Hard Rock Miami Grand Prix, Miami Open presented by Itaú, Life Time Miami Marathon 25th Anniversary, NASCAR Championship Weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway, 2027 Banana Ball World Tour and FIFA Women’s Champions Cup Miami 2027TM.
• Showcasing the arts with key events like Art Basel Miami Beach and a continued focus on hotel-based arts and cultural programming including Noche de Arte, No Vacancy Miami Beach and other immersive experiences with a special destination-wide emphasis on promoting music.

GMCVB Nominating Chair Christine Valls also recognized PortMiami Director and CEO Jonathan Daniels as a new incoming GMCVB board member. Daniels brings more than three decades of experience in maritime transportation, logistics and economic development to the board alongside his leadership of one of the world’s premier seaports.

“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,” said Julissa Kepner, GMCVB board chair.

For additional insights, explore the GMCVB's official 2025/2026 Annual Report and 2026/2027 Business Plan.

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