Santa Rosa Island Authority Releases Visitor Survey Highlighting Pensacola Beach’s Massive Economic Impact

by Katie King | Katie@ewbullock.com

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Santa Rosa Island Authority Releases Visitor Survey Highlighting Pensacola Beach’s Massive Economic Impact
PENSACOLA, Fla. (February 5, 2025) — The Santa Rosa Island Authority (SRIA) is proud to announce the results of the 2024 Visitor Survey conducted by the University of West Florida’s Haas Center, which reveals the immense economic contribution of Pensacola Beach tourism to Escambia County and overwhelmingly positive visitor satisfaction ratings.
The survey highlights just how vital tourism is to the local economy:
  • Tourism supports 8,242 jobs on Pensacola Beach, from hospitality and retail to entertainment and transportation.
  • Visitors generate $287.6 million in personal income, helping sustain local workers and businesses.
  • The total economic impact of tourism is $966.4 million, fueling multiple industries beyond just hospitality.
  • Tourism contributes $493.5 million to the Gross Regional Product (GRP), reinforcing its role as a key driver of the local economy.
  • Tax revenue from tourism reaches $131.8 million, directly funding public services such as road maintenance, traffic management, public safety, local schools, parks, beach conservation, and community projects.
“Pensacola Beach is more than just a premier destination — it’s an economic powerhouse for Escambia County,” said Mike Burns, Executive Director of the Santa Rosa Island Authority. “These survey results reaffirm the tremendous value that visitors bring to our local economy, supporting thousands of jobs and driving revenue that benefits everyone in our community.”

 

Beyond its economic impact, the survey also highlights exceptional visitor satisfaction:
  • Strong Visitor Loyalty: Overnight visitors rated their likelihood of returning at 9.2 out of 10, while daytrippers scored it even higher at 9.4 out of 10.
  • High Recommendation Rate: Pensacola Beach is a favorite among travelers, with overnight guests rating their likelihood to recommend it at 9.3 out of 10.
  • Top-Notch Hospitality: The friendliness and professionalism of local businesses received an outstanding 68% “excellent” rating, with 85% of visitors expressing satisfaction with their overall experience.
While feedback was overwhelmingly positive, visitors noted managing beach crowding and parking as the biggest areas for improvement, along with concerns about traffic flow and pricing.

 

“The SRIA remains committed to addressing these challenges while ensuring that Pensacola Beach continues to thrive as both an economic asset and a beloved beach destination,” added Burns. “We look forward to welcoming even more visitors to experience everything our world-class beach has to offer.”

 

About the Santa Rosa Island Authority

Pensacola Beach is owned by Escambia County, Fla., and is under the direction of the Santa Rosa Island Authority (SRIA). The SRIA was created by the Florida legislature in 1947 under Chapter 24500. The SRIA does not receive tax support from the taxpayers of the county. It is fully funded from lease fees collected from business and residences on the beach. The Island Authority board is made up of six members; five are named by members of the Escambia County Board of Commissioners whose term is the same as the commissioner who appointed them. Registered voters on Pensacola Beach elect the sixth member. The elected member’s term is two years.

 

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