In 2009, the $16.5 billion
Miami tourism industry was hurt by the global financial crisis last year and overnight stays were slightly down. According to a new report however tourists associated with foreign Miami tourism spent a record $11 billion.
The Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau said on Tuesday that
Miami tourism dropped 1.6% in 2009; with the recession finally catching up to Miami’s strong appeal to
foreign Miami tourism. With most of the dollars coming from foreign Miami tourists, spending dropped 3% to $16.5 billion.
Even though the amount of foreign
Miami tourism was down 1.8% in 2009 foreign spending was up almost 3% to $11 billion because of the weak U.S. dollar and the longer stays as a result of
discounted hotel rooms. The amount of visitors associated with Miami tourism within the US was down 1.4% in 2009. In 2008 there was a 2% drop. The report states that U.S. tourists spent $5.9 billion last year which was 9.2% less than 2008 and the lowest since 2003.
The decrease has
Miami hotels, shops and
restaurants in Miami even more dependent on foreign dollars. However, foreign Miami tourism from South America was up almost 3% from 2008. Even with the declines the bureau said that Dade County was one of the strongest
Miami vacation destinations in the country.
