Oil industry impact not seen in Florida in Q2

The anticipated negative impact of the oil industry on Florida tourism in the second quarter does not appear to have emerged in general.

Figures from Visit Florida show that arrivals into the state actually grew year-on-year in all categories - domestic, Canadian and overseas.

Domestic growth was the slowest, with 2.4 per cent more excursions made to the Sunshine State by US residents between April and June.

Canadian visits grew by 10.4 per cent when compared with the second quarter of 2009.

However, international visits achieved the greatest rate of expansion, at 11.9 per cent, taking overseas tourists to about one in ten of all trips made to the region.

Tracy Louthain, spokeswoman for the Beaches of South Walton on the Gulf Coast of Florida, this week told the Associated Press of the oil industry's impact on her particular area of the state.

She cited a 30 per cent fall in summer occupancy, leading tourism operators to introduce incentives to attract people to the area.