Pensacola Beach tourism vital to local economy: 2024 Visitor Survey
PENSACOLA, Fla. (WKRG) — Pensacola Beach is known for attracting visitors, and officials say those visitors have significantly helped the economy, supporting thousands of jobs and generating millions of dollars to help sustain local businesses.
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The impact of Pensacola Beach tourism was highlighted in the 2024 Visitor Survey.
According to the survey conducted by the University of West Florida's Haas Center, Pensacola Beach tourism had an 'immense economic contribution to Escambia County.'
Here are some reported findings:
Tourism supports 8,242 jobs on Pensacola Beach, from hospitality and retail to entertainment and transportation.
Visitors generate $287.6 million in personal income, helping sustain local workers and businesses.
The total economic impact of tourism is $966.4 million, fueling multiple industries beyond just hospitality.
Tourism contributes $493.5 million to the gross regional product, reinforcing its role as a key driver of the local economy.
Tax revenue from tourism reaches $131.8 million, directly funding public services such as road maintenance, traffic management, public safety, local schools, parks, beach conservation, and community projects.
Officials said the numbers show Pensacola Beach's value to the area.
'Pensacola Beach is more than just a premier destination — it's an economic powerhouse for Escambia County,' said Mike Burns, executive director of the Santa Rosa Island Authority. 'These survey results reaffirm the tremendous value that visitors bring to our local economy, supporting thousands of jobs and driving revenue that benefits everyone in our community.'
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The survey also showed high visitor satisfaction, and Santa Rosa Island Authority said they look forward to welcoming those returning and new visitors back to the Emerald Coast.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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