2025 Tourism Campaigns Net $9.5 Billion Economic Impact to Support Hillsborough County Destination welcomes 28 million visitors, driving record spending and supporting nearly 62,000 local jobs Tampa, FL (June 5, 2026) – A cornerstone of the Hillsborough County economy, Visit Tampa Bay announced new tourism industry benchmarks in 2025, generating $6 billion in direct visitor spending and a total financial impact of $9.5 billion according to an annual study released last month by Tourism Economics. A report released by industry expert Tourism Economics shows that the visitor economy supported nearly 62,000 jobs – one-in-five in Hillsborough – while generating $691 million in state and local taxes – almost $1,200 per resident – to help fund essential services and enhance quality of life.

Indonesia is gearing up to energise its business events industry with the launch of the first-ever Indonesia Business Event Mart (IBEM), held in conjunction with the Southeast Asia Business Events Forum (SEABEF), positioning Jakarta as a rising hub for meetings, incentives, conferences,
and exhibitions (MICE) in the region.

Thailand’s tourism industry is sliding deeper into crisis — and the government’s optimistic messaging can no longer hide the reality. The war in the Middle East has triggered a sharp drop in arrivals, but the conflict merely exposes structural weaknesses that Bangkok has ignored for years. In March, Thailand recorded 2.77 million visitors — a brutal 15% decline from the previous month. Even Songkran, traditionally one of the strongest tourism periods of the year, failed to revive demand. Hotels, airlines, and tour operators report weak bookings, falling spending, and a growing sense of uncertainty.