(Bunnell, Fla.)—Palm Coast and the Flagler Beaches Tourism Development Office received a proclamation from the Board of County Commissioners, recognizing National Tourism and Travel Week (NTTW), the annual celebration of the contributions of the U.S. travel industry, May 4-10, 2025. The week shines a spotlight on the U.S. travel industry’s essential role in driving economic growth, creating jobs and enhancing the nation’s global competitiveness.
Travel and tourism significantly affect the economy of Flagler County. According to the Palm Coast and the Flagler Beaches 2024 Economic Impact Report conducted by Downs and St. Germain Research, tourism in Flagler County supported more than 9,700 jobs, generated over 890 million in total economic impact, and brought in over $4.3 million in bed tax revenue in 2024. This tax is a catalyst for stimulating tourism-related activity that leads to increased collections from sales, property, and other local taxes.
“Tourism is the lifeline of our local economy and it’s important to keep in mind that there is an additional economic impact from visitors beyond their direct spending. Businesses that serve visitors recirculate visitors’ spending by buying goods and services to run their business along with employees spending their wages in the community,” said Amy Lukasik, Executive Director for Palm Coast and the Flagler Beaches.
Flagler County welcomed more than 940,000 visitors in 2024. Those visitors generated more than $617,703,400 in direct spending. The number accounts for sales in accommodations, restaurants, groceries, transportation, attractions, entertainment, and shopping in Flagler County.
“Travel drives economic opportunity and strengthens our community,” said Lukasik. “This National Travel and Tourism Week, we celebrate travel’s undeniable impact and reaffirm its importance in shaping our local economy and quality of life.”
