The recovery of South Florida's tourism industry is well underway.
"Things are happening there that aren't happening anywhere else," says Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau President Bill Talbert.
In his State of the Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Talbert adds not only is South Florida doing much better than the rest of the country, but its most recent weekly statistics show hotels' average daily rates and revenue per available room are actually surpassing 2019 numbers. So are restaurant figures.
"So there's a light at the end of the tunnel, and it's not a train, for once, coming at us," says Talbert.
The region is also projecting the hotel occupancy rates for the upcoming July 4th week will be just a hair less than pre-pandemic numbers.
Major events returning in the coming weeks include the South Beach Wine and Food Festival, the Air and Sea Show, and in December, Art Basel returns.
Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau Board of Directors Chair Bruce Orosz says events aren't all. The FinTech world is moving here, predicting, "They will make us, kind of a second Wall Street."
That will fuel the economy and bring jobs.