JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Tourists are visiting Florida in record numbers despite a year that saw two hurricanes hit the state and federal officials warn away pregnant women from Miami due to the Zika virus.
Florida Gov. Rick Scott announced Monday that 85 million tourists visited the state during the first nine months of 2016.
State officials say that’s the highest nine-month total ever.
Scott said in a written statement that the record numbers show how well Visit Florida, the state’s tourism marketing arm, is doing its job. Incoming House Speaker Richard Corcoran has questioned continued funding of the organization.
The governor noted that record numbers of tourists visited the state despite the Zika virus outbreak, hurricanes and the tragic attack at the Pulse Nightclub in Orlando that left 49 dead.
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