Miami Boasts All-Time Record Year for Travel and Tourism

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Feb. 13, 2006 - Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) President & CEO William D. Talbert announced that 2005 overnight visitors to Greater Miami grew 3.1 percent to a record 11.3 million visitors, fueled by a record 6.1 million domestic visitors and stable international markets.

"We're very pleased that the industry and our marketing efforts are performing so well, that we've surpassed pre-9/11 record visitor numbers for the first time," Talbert said. "We're particularly proud that we've been so successful in boosting summer business through our Festival Season marketing program, as indicated by a 9 percent growth during the June through August time period over the past three years."

"We're also excited about the fact that Greater Miami's brand has never been stronger, enabling us to generate one of the highest average room rates in the country," said Maria Sastre of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., GMCVB Board Chair. "Miami's average daily room rate climbed 11.5 percent to $128.35 – making it the fifth- highest in the nation for 2005 among Smith Travel Research's top 25 U.S. markets. Our occupancy rate (72.6 percent) grew 6.5 percent, making it also the fifth-highest in the nation. This is the first time Miami has ranked as a "top five" destination on both measures, affirming that we’ve truly become a year-round powerhouse. This is bolstered by the fact that tourism performance grew over all four quarters of 2005."

Employment was another indicator that the visitor industry was strong in 2005. Leisure and hospitality employment in Miami-Dade County grew 4.7 percent to over 102,000 people. The Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) is a non- profit sales and marketing organization whose mission is to attract visitors to Greater Miami and the Beaches for leisure, business and conventions. For a vacation guide, visit www.MiamiAndBeaches.com or call 1-888-76-Miami (US/Canada only) or 305-447-7777.

SOURCE The Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau