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Summer tourism numbers show that more travelers visited Florida in 2007 over the same period last year.  From the first of July through the end of September, 21.1 million people came to the sunshine state.  That’s a 4.8 percent increase over the same time frame in 2006.  State tourism officials at VISIT FLORIDA say rising gas prices did not seem to have the effect many thought they would.

“The summer vacation is an American tradition,” said VISIT FLORIDA’s Karen Kirksey.  “So even though gas prices might be rising, they’re going to take the trip.  But they might cut corners in some other ways, maybe stay at hotel that’s less expensive or something like that.”

In 2006, tourist related spending brought in $65 billion to the Florida economy.