What’s New in Florida Tourism

As the leader in domestic tourism and a top destination for Canadian travelers, Florida is buzzing with new developments right now. 

Travel advisors can become experts on the state’s tourism offerings by completing Visit Florida’s Florida Pro training course online. New content on the platform includes information about pre- and post-cruise accommodations and activities, culinary offerings, nature trails, and accessibility through Wheel the World, an online resource that informs advisors and consumers about which suppliers have certain accessibility features. 

“We’ve seen massive numbers of new hotels coming online or complete renovations of hotels that were already here,” Dana Young, president and CEO of Visit Florida, told TMR. “The theme parks continue to roll out new attractions within the parks, so that’s always a big deal.” 

Here are the highlights of what’s new in Florida’s popular tourist destinations. 

Miami 
Between Formula 1, baseball spring training, soccer, and more, sports tourism is big in Miami, and no one’s presence in the city is bigger than Lionel Messi’s. On April 25, the Messi Experience, an immersive, 75-minute walk-through indoor experience, will open at The Hangar Coconut Grove. And in 2026, Miami will host several World Cup games. 

Miami has also gained 12 Michelin star restaurants since the Michelin guide launched in Florida about three years ago, so it is growing as a destination not only for sports fans but also foodies. “Restaurants are opening everywhere,” Young noted, “and Michelin has been huge with that.”   

The colorful Miami neighborhood of Wynwood has been up-and-coming in recent years. In part due to a renewed appreciation for the area’s street art culture, new shops, restaurants, and hotels have been bringing tourists to the once-downtrodden area. This year, a Moxy hotel by Marriott will open on one of Wynwood’s busiest blocks near Wynwood Walls, an outdoor street art museum. 

Orlando 
The big news out of Orlando is the recent opening of Evermore Orlando Resort, a $1.5 billion resort with an 8-acre lagoon and wide array of accommodations options, including the new Conrad Orlando hotel. 

The new, massive resort is right next door to Disney World, which has big news of its own: Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, a new attraction based on the film and celebrating New Orleans music culture, will replace Splash Mountain in Magic Kingdom Park by this summer. 

Also notable in Orlando is the opening of a Brightline station at Orlando International Airport. This means that travelers can now travel by rail between Miami and Orlando on a seamless two-hour train ride. 

Tampa Bay 
Several new hotels and Michelin star restaurants have opened in Tampa Bay in recent years. In fall 2024, the city’s historic Floridan Palace Hotel will transform into Hotel Flor, joining the Tapestry Collection Hotels by Hilton after a multi-million-dollar renovation. The Epicurean Hotel is also undergoing expansion, and a new European-style boutique Palihouse opens in the fall. The city will also announce another round of restaurants to receive Michelin stars in April. In addition, the Brightline route in Florida will extend to Tampa by 2025. 

Tampa Bay has several museums and other attractions along its riverwalk, including the Tampa Museum of Art, which will double in size this year. The city offers an all-access pass to visit attractions along the riverwalk and just recently introduced the accessible version of that pass for individuals with disabilities. 

For travel advisors, Tampa Bay has just launched a new training portal that offers resources for selling the destination. 

Daytona Beach 
The Daytona Aquarium & Rainforest Adventure is set to open early this year. In addition, the city’s annual Welcome to Rockville rock music festival will return on May 9-12 and feature acts such as Foo Fighters, Slipknot, Judas Preist, and many more. Plus, Daytona Beach’s Riverfront Esplanade has gotten a makeover in recent years, offering more green space and quaint walking areas for visitors to enjoy.

In accommodations, the Renaissance by Marriott Daytona Beach Oceanfront will open this year, and Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach, a 200-room beachfront resort, recently completed a multi-million-dollar renovation. 

St. Augustine 
Known as Florida’s historic coast, St. Augustine just introduced the St. Augustine Black History App that features a “What’s Nearby” tool to allow visitors to explore the area’s rich history more deeply, just in time for Black History Month. 

The region has many music festivals and other cultural events throughout the year. Third Space Improv is a new theater featuring improv workshops and performances. Travel advisors can learn all about the area’s tourism offerings on its Travel Agent Academy platform, where advisors can become St. Augustine/Ponte Verda specialists. 

Fort Myers 
Hampton Inn Fort Myers Downtown and Margaritaville Beach Resort on Fort Myers Beach both opened in December 2023 and are now accepting guests. The city has been bouncing back from damages it faced after Hurricane Ian struck in fall of 2022. For example, the island of Sanibel will open the Sundial Beach Resort & Spa this summer. The resort is now taking reservations for stays starting Aug. 3, 2024.