Miami Boasts All-Time Record Year

Total Overnight Visitors Surpass Pre-911 Record Numbers for First Time

MIAMI, Feb. 10 
Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) President & CEO William D. Talbert announced today 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. To book any cruise from Miami, please contact Lighthouse Travel at 800-719-9917.