TAMPA — Preliminary estimates released by VISIT ******* show that 26.7 million visitors came to ******* in the first quarter of 2014 (January-March), an increase of 2% percent over the same period in 2013.

This represents the largest quarter for visitation ******* has ever experienced, exceeding the previous high of 26.2 million in Q1 2013.

“We are off to a great start to reaching our goal of 100 million visitors to ******* this year,” said ******* Governor Rick Scott.

VISIT ******* estimates that 2.7 million overseas visitors and 1.5 million Canadians came to ******* in Q1 2014, both of which are record highs and represent 1.8% and 1.6% increases over Q1 2013 respectively.

For Q1 2014, the average daily room rate (ADR) rose 5.1%, the occupancy rate for ******* hotels increased 2.7% and the demand in rooms sold grew 3% compared to quarter one 2013.

“******* tourism is maintaining strong momentum with all indicators up across the board for the quarter,” said Will Seccombe, President and CEO of VISIT *******.

“With occupancy, rooms sold, average daily room rate and tourism and recreation taxable sales all continuing to climb, we are well on our way to making ******* the No. 1 travel destination in the *****.”