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BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — Florida’s tourism industry continued to soar in 2025, and it is being seen on our Space Coast.
It is a boon to the state and local economy now and in the future.
Larry Jackson, who has operated Cruise Holidays of Viera for more than two decades, is seeing it firsthand.
It has been 22 years, and he still loves helping clients set up their perfect vacation. The year 2025 was its best year ever.
“A lot of people were booking a lot earlier than they were in previous years, so that really helps us out,” Jackson said.
But with the demand comes challenges.
“We love being able to put all the pieces together and make sure they have a wonderful vacation,” he said.
Jackson’s success mirrors the Florida tourism industry’s record 2025 growth.
Visit Florida says nearly 32,000,000 Americans traveled to the state last year.
Overseas visitation grew more than 3% to more than two million.
“We are strategically focused on growing visitation from Latin America and Europe and maintaining Florida’s No. 1 market share of domestic tourists, and our strategy is working,” said Visit Florida President Bryan Griffin.
A key driver is Port Canaveral, which once again became the world’s busiest cruise port, seeing 8.5 million passengers in 2025.
The port is now home to seven cruise brands with 1,000 sailings on 18 ships.
It means millions for the local economy, providing provisions for the cruises. And port staff jobs.
Jackson said that entire families are booking.
“We have two, three new ships coming in,” he said. “We were sold out a lot this summertime, on the big ships because the demand is so high.”
But what does 2026 hold?
Busier.
Jackson said that if you want to travel, be proactive.
“The sooner you can make your plans, get your dates, get in touch with a travel adviser or cruise line and make those reservations,” he said.
Visit Florida says 99% of the state’s tourism-related industry is small businesses.
