Space Coast tourism blasting off, February sets record numbers

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By Mel Holt and Adam Poulisse

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — Space Coast tourism is on quite a streak with people driving, flying and cruising into the area.

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February was the best month ever on record for tourist development tax collections. But officials say that record may already be bested again after March’s revenue is tallied up.

“I tend to be an optimist, but I never anticipated the kind of rebound that we’ve had post-COVID,” said Peter Cranis, executive director for the Space Coast Office of Tourism.

The Space Coast Office of Tourism has been aggressively marketing the area, but there are a lot of things at play, including the area beaches, cruising, an abundance of rocket launches and more people ready to travel again.

READ: SpaceX launches Axiom Space’s 1st all-private mission to the Space Station

February doesn’t tend to be a peak month for tourist development tax revenue on the Space Coast. But this year, nearly $2.3 million was collected in February.

It’s the best month in the tourism office’s history. Adding to that, they’ve had 11 straight months of record tax collections.

READ: We have liftoff!: Top 9 Space coast stories of 2021

Orlando-area couple to launch into space on Blue Origin flight The New Shepard will lift off from Blue Origin’s Launch Site One on Thursday at 8:20 a.m. (Blue Origin)

Orlando-area couple to launch into space on Blue Origin flight The flight was pushed back because of high winds. (Blue Origin)

Orlando-area couple to launch into space on Blue Origin flight (Blue Origin)

Orlando-area couple to launch into space on Blue Origin flight The crew will experience the 11-minute trip to space and back, traveling 62 miles above Earth at three times the speed of sound. (Blue Origin)

Orlando-area couple to launch into space on Blue Origin flight (Blue Origin)

Orlando-area couple to launch into space on Blue Origin flight Hagle is the founder of SpaceKids Global, a nonprofit with the mission “to educate and actively engage a national audience of elementary students in STEAM+ environment activities, that inspire them to pursue careers in space exploration and technology.” (Blue Origin)

Wright Flyer Fabric The sons of Neil Armstrong donated the Wright Flyer Fabric to Orlando Science Center last summer. It was presented to the center by Sharon Hagle of SpaceKids Global. (Orlando Science Center)

Sharon Hagle SpaceKids Global founder, Sharon Hagle, and her husband, Marc, have been in Texas for extensive training ahead of their historic flight. (SpaceKids Global)

Sharon Hagle SpaceKids Global founder, Sharon Hagle, and her husband, Marc, have been in Texas for extensive training ahead of their historic flight. (SpaceKids Global)

Cranis said rocket launches and crewed missions like Axiom-1 area also drawing thousands of visitors to Brevard County.

Rachel Comerford and her family came from Ireland to take a cruise. They chose Port Canaveral because of its proximity to other attractions.

READ: A look at the Space Coast’s busy week ahead

“It’s convenient to have a few different opportunities for enjoyment and recreation together,” she said.

On May 1, the office of tourism will kick off its $2.1 million summer marketing campaign around the southeast and beyond.

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