Did Ron DeSantis Disprove Doug Ford’s Claim That Florida Tourism Is Hurting?

TL;DR

Florida tourism was not declining by the measure cited: the state recorded 34.4 million visitors in the second quarter of 2025, which DeSantis presented as another record. Doug Ford said Florida was hurting amid an organic Canadian tourism boycott, but he also told families to keep visiting if they wished. Read on for the exact claims, response, and anecdotal evidence discussed.

Transcript

So this guy named Doug Ford decided to take a shot at the Santis. He mocks the Santis. Then Desantis mocks Doug Ford because Doug Ford says Florida's hurting. Rob, go to play that clip on Florida hurting. Go for it. Are no longer flying to Florida. They're not being there. Snowbirds have basically it's dried up. There's been a um an organic boycott... Read More

Key Insights

• Florida tourism is thriving with record-breaking numbers, contrary to claims of decline.
• Doug Ford criticizes Florida's tourism, but data shows Canadians continue to visit.
• Ronda Santis responds to Ford by highlighting Florida's strong tourism numbers.
• Many Canadians are moving to Florida, driven by economic and lifestyle factors.
• Political rhetoric often contrasts with actual economic data in tourism discussions.
• Doug Ford's strategy involves aligning with prominent U.S. political figures for attention.
• The Canadian economy is significantly tied to the U.S., making such disputes impactful.
• Florida's low taxes and warm climate attract high-caliber individuals from Canada.

Questions & Answers

Q: Is Florida tourism really declining?

The figures cited in the discussion indicate the opposite. Florida recorded 34.4 million visitors in the second quarter of 2025, described as another state tourism record.

Q: What did Doug Ford claim about Canadian tourism in Florida?

Doug Ford said Canadians were no longer flying to Florida and that snowbird travel had dried up amid an organic boycott of U.S. tourism. He characterized Florida as hurting economically and said he personally would not visit that year.

Q: Did Doug Ford tell all Canadians to boycott Florida?

No. Although Ford said he personally would not go, he told families who had visited Florida their whole lives to continue if they wanted and encouraged people not to let Trump change their lives.

Q: How did Ron DeSantis respond to Doug Ford?

DeSantis said Florida continued to break tourism records and referenced the state winning the Stanley Cup. He also said Canadians were moving to Florida while trying to avoid Canadian exit taxes.

Q: What Florida tourism figure was cited in the response?

The cited figure was 34.4 million visitors during the second quarter of 2025. The discussion presented this as Florida breaking its own tourism record again.

Q: What evidence did the speakers give that Canadians were still in Florida?

One speaker pointed to the many Ontario license plates he saw in Florida. He acknowledged that these Canadians might be tourists, winter residents escaping extreme cold, or visitors enjoying the weather.

Q: What example was given of Canadians moving to Florida?

The speakers described two Canadian business partners who sold their homes, paid an exit tax, and legally immigrated to Florida. They said the process took four and a half years and that they intended to start something after relocating.

Q: How did the speakers assess DeSantis’s rebuttal?

They called it a measured, factual response and summarized the dispute with the phrase “words talk, numbers scream.” Their assessment rested primarily on the cited record of 34.4 million visitors in the second quarter of 2025.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Florida's tourism industry is booming, with record-breaking visitor numbers, countering claims of decline by Doug Ford. Many Canadians continue to visit and move to Florida, attracted by its economic opportunities and lifestyle.

• Ronda Santis counters Doug Ford's criticism by emphasizing Florida's strong tourism performance and the influx of Canadians. The political dispute highlights the contrast between political rhetoric and actual economic data.

• The Canadian economy's ties to the U.S. make political disputes over tourism significant. Despite political rhetoric, Florida remains an attractive destination for Canadians due to its low taxes and warm climate.