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More people vacationed in Florida during the first three months of this year than did a year ago. Governor Charlie Crist along with members of Visit Florida held a news conference at the Capitol today to announce the numbers. So far this year more than 23 million people vacationed in the sunshine state. That’s up almost four percent from a year ago. Instate travel is up 10 percent so far this year. Governor Charlie Crist hopes the trend continues.

“There’s so many parts of Florida that are diverse and it’s very different from Miami to Pensacola, from Jackson to Ft. Myers and you know for Floridians to have the opportunity to visit other parts of Florida I think is extremely important and it’s cheaper on their budgets to do so,” said Crist.

Still a triple threat of wildfires, hurricanes and gas prices loom over the state’s tourism industry. Despite Triple A’s prediction that rising fuel cost will drastically cut down on summer travel, Visit Florida President Bud Nocera said people will still take a family vacation.

“Never discount the concept of vacation in the lives of Americans, it’s very important, so we believe Americans are still going to take vacations. They may cut back a little, but they’re still going to be on vacation,” said Nocera.

State leaders hope a strong travel season can help generate enough sales tax revenue to relieve some of the state’s budget woes.