Florida may lag behind other states on several more important scales, but when it comes to attracting drunk college kids and other tourists during this time of year, we're still king.
According to USA Today, Florida appears ready to shatter its previous records this year for most visitors to the state during January, February and March.
Last year, Florida attracted 26.3 million during the first three months of the year. That's an all-time high and up 36 percent since 2000. Paul Phipps, chief marketing officer for Visit Florida, says that numbers through the first two months indicate that the state will reach a new high again this year.
That's, of course, in no small part thanks to the wicked weather much of the rest of the country has had to endure.
"This is going to be a very good year for spring break because of the weather that the Northeast has experienced for several months. There's pent-up demand, and it's the opportunity to go south and have a good time," Phipps told the paper.
Even residents from states within driving distance (well, at least to the Panhandle) are sending more visitors this year.
Though Florida continues to be the hotspot for college spring breakers, Phipps also says that he attributes the bump to an increase in visiting families with children.
However, according to Travelocity booking data, South Florida remains the top spring break booking destination in the country (likely receiving its fair share of college kids), while Orlando came in second (likely thanks to those Disney-happy families).
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