Tourism Fuels Broward County’s Economy with Strong Start to 2026

Robust Hotel Occupancy and Demand in March Reinforce Tourism’s Role in Jobs, Local Investment and Community Strength

 

GREATER FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (April 1, 2026) – Tourism in Greater Fort Lauderdale is more than beaches and vacations, it’s a major driving force behind Broward County’s economy, supporting local businesses, creating careers, and enhancing the quality of life for residents. Visit Lauderdale, the official destination marketing organization of Greater Fort Lauderdale, is sharing new tourism data reflecting a strong start to the spring travel season and underscoring the industry’s broad impact across the county.

 

Hotels across Greater Fort Lauderdale reported strong performance during the month of March, with occupancy reaching 85%, an increase of 6% compared to March 2025. Hotel demand rose 9% year over year, while the average daily rate (ADR) reached $240.49, reflecting continued traveler interest in the destination’s beaches, extensive waterways, thriving culinary scene, cultural attractions and cruise departures from Port Everglades.

 

“March underscores the ongoing demand for Greater Fort Lauderdale and the impact tourism has across our community,” said Stacy Ritter, President and CEO of Visit Lauderdale. “This performance reflects the intentional work of our team and the strategic efforts driving awareness and visitation to the destination. At Visit Lauderdale, we’re committed to building on this momentum in a way that supports sustainable growth and long-term value for our community.”

 

This strong start to 2026 builds on a successful 2025 for Greater Fort Lauderdale tourism. Last year, Greater Fort Lauderdale welcomed more than 20.9 million travelers into the destination, generating $124 million in Tourist Development Tax (TDT) revenue, a 0.3 percent increase year over year. Hotel demand rose 1.3 percent, and Port Everglades welcomed more than 4 million cruise passengers, representing a 16.2 percent increase from 2024. These visitors supported local jobs, reflecting the workers, entrepreneurs and families connected to the tourism industry. Revenue from the TDT funds Visit Lauderdale’s destination marketing and promotional efforts, supports beach maintenance projects and contributes to operations and capital improvements at the Broward County Convention Center, along with other tourism-related initiatives included in the county’s adopted budget.

 

Visit Lauderdale works year-round to attract visitors, meetings, conventions and major events that benefit residents and businesses alike. Through strategic marketing, global partnerships and industry engagement, Visit Lauderdale helps ensure tourism growth translates into meaningful community impact. In 2025, Visit Lauderdale booked 48 conventions at the newly expanded Broward County Convention Center, representing an estimated 265,000 hotel room nights and an economic impact of $801 million.

 

Greater Fort Lauderdale is also preparing to host U.S. Travel Association’s IPW, the United States’ largest driver of international tourism. From May 17-21, 2026,thousands of international travel buyers, journalists and tourism officials from more than 60 countries will experience all that Greater Fort Lauderdale has to offer. The event will be held at the Broward County Convention Center and is expected to generate more than $14.2 billion in future travel to Greater Fort Lauderdale over the next three years, further strengthening the destination’s global visibility.

 

As Greater Fort Lauderdale continues to grow as a premier global destination, tourism remains a powerful economic engine for Broward County. Visit Lauderdale is committed to ensuring tourism success translates into lasting community benefits reinforcing Greater Fort Lauderdale’s position as a vibrant place to live, work and visit for years to come.

 

 

About Greater Fort Lauderdale

With 24 miles of golden sand beaches and 300+ miles of navigable waterways, Greater Fort Lauderdale is known as the Venice of America and the Yachting Capital of the World. The area boasts an average year-round temperature of 77˚F, has 3,000+ hours of annual sunshine, and is home to 31 unique municipalities, including eight distinct beach communities. Residents hailing from 170 countries, speaking 147 languages, call this destination home. And there’s good reasons, including the area’s unwavering commitment to accessibility and inclusion. Upon arrival at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL), a five-minute drive will get you to the beach, Port Everglades, the newly expanded Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center, and a bustling downtown.

 

Experience 4,000+ eateries, a thriving arts and culture scene, craft breweries, stunning rooftop bars, fishing, diving, and the unmatched beauty of the Florida Everglades. From world-class shopping, to boating, yachts and superyachts all moored at the area’s many marinas, it’s no wonder Greater Fort Lauderdale is one of the most desirable places to stay, work and play. The destination has more than 38,000 unique lodging accommodations at a variety of hotels, luxury spa resorts, and beautifully appointed, boutique properties, all reflecting the area’s cosmopolitan vibe. Find inspiration for your next trip at visitlauderdale.com and follow @VisitLauderdale on Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.

 

About Visit Lauderdale

Visit Lauderdale is the official destination marketing organization for Greater Fort Lauderdale and serves as the tourism department for Broward County, Florida. Visit Lauderdale promotes the area’s 31 municipalities to a global audience of leisure and business travelers and books conventions into the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center and area hotels and resorts. Find more information at visitlauderdale.com and follow @VisitLauderdale on Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.