ORLANDO, Fla. — More people than ever visited Orlando in 2018, tourism agency Visit Orlando announced Thursday.
- 75 million people visited Orlando in 2018
- That's up 4.2 percent over 2017's 72 million
- Visit Florida: Orlando remains top US destination
Orlando had 75 million visitors last year, a 4.2 percent increase over the previous record of 72 million visitors set in 2017.
With that number, Orlando continues to be the top destination in the U.S., according to Visit Florida. The agency didn't say what locations ranked behind the Orlando area.
Of the 75 million people who visited Orlando, 68.6 million were from the U.S., while 6.48 million were from other countries.
"This success is a testament to the special appeal of our destination that continues to grow and evolve, as well as our strong commitment to strategic marketing initiatives," Visit Orlando president and CEO George Aguel said.
And that number could be even bigger in 2019 with many visitors coming to Orlando's theme parks, which keep expanding.
Disney World is set to open Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge at Hollywood Studios on August 29. The new 14-acre land is one of Disney's most-anticipated expansions to date. In June, Universal Orlando is slated to open a new roller coaster themed after the Harry Potter character Hagrid. And SeaWorld Orlando recently opened Sesame Street, which features six newly-themed attractions.