Florida's Tourism Flourishes Amid DeSantis' Response to Ford's Boycott

Post by : Mina Rahman

In a robust reply to Ontario Premier Doug Ford, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has defended the Sunshine State against Ford's recent boycott. This decision from Ford stemmed from trade disputes affecting Ontario's automotive and steel industries, although Ford mentioned he wouldn't expect others to mirror his actions.

DeSantis emphasized Florida's booming tourism sector and recent athletic victories, pointing out that the Florida Panthers clinched back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2024 and 2025, in stark contrast to Toronto's last championship win in 1967.

According to data from Visit Florida, there was a minor decline in Canadian visitors in 2025, yet the overall influx of tourists increased significantly, with Americans comprising 91% of total visitors and an 11.4% rise in international travelers compared to the prior year.

Ford has encouraged residents of Ontario to vacation within Canada to bolster local businesses, asserting that individual vacation choices should not be adversely influenced by political matters.

“Perhaps some families have a tradition of visiting Florida, and that’s perfectly fine,” Ford stated. “But I urge you to remain in Canada and support local tourism. Letting one tyrant dictate your decisions is not the way to go.”