Florida TaxWatch: Tourism Creates Job Growth

Florida TaxWatch released a report on Monday which finds tourism led to almost 76,000 jobs being added to the Sunshine State last year. The report also shows Florida is well-positioned to bring 100 million visitors next year, adding even more jobs across the state.

"Florida's thriving tourism industry provides extraordinary opportunities for economic growth," said Dominic Calabro, the president and CEO of Florida TaxWatch, on Monday. "By increasing the number of visitors to Florida, the state is on track to reach this important milestone, providing jobs to hard-working taxpayers along the way."

Florida TaxWatchs study shows more tourists come to Florida with each passing year, leading in 2013 to almost 38,400 jobs directly from tourism and almost 37,400 additional jobs outside the industry.

"Florida's tourism industry is responsible for far more than lowering the tax burden for the state's residents," said Jerry Parrish, Florida TaxWatchs chief economist. "Expanding tourism has a direct impact on job creation in the state, and the economic impact can be felt in many of Florida's other industries."

The report can be read here.