Robust Hotel Occupancy and Demand in March Reinforce Tourism\u2019s Role in Jobs, Local Investment and Community Strength<\/p>\n
GREATER FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (April 2, 2026) \u2013\u00a0Tourism in Greater Fort Lauderdale is more than beaches and vacations, it\u2019s a major driving force behind Broward County\u2019s economy, supporting local businesses, creating careers, and enhancing the quality of life for residents.\u00a0Visit Lauderdale<\/a>, 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\u2019s broad impact across the county.<\/p>\n 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\u2019s beaches, extensive waterways, thriving culinary scene, cultural attractions and cruise departures from Port Everglades.<\/p>\n “March underscores the ongoing demand for Greater Fort Lauderdale and the impact tourism has across our community,\u201d said Stacy Ritter, President and CEO of Visit Lauderdale. \u201cThis performance reflects the intentional work of our team and the strategic efforts driving awareness and visitation to the destination. At Visit Lauderdale, we\u2019re committed to building on this momentum in a way that supports sustainable growth and long-term value for our community.\u201d<\/p>\n 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\u2019s 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\u2019s adopted budget.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n