Key West sees unprecedented rise in tourism

In March, Key West International Airport experienced the most arrivals ever in a single month. In fact, it was named the #1 recovery airport plus coronavirus-fighting robot began patrolling Key West International Airport’s interior spaces after hours.
The airport will be undergoing a renovation with a new concourse (approx. $80 million investment) and funded entirely with federal aviation grants and user fees paid by airline passengers.
When TripAdvisor released its 2021 Travelers’ Choice Awards for Destinations, Key West was among the most popular
Key West is expected to have over 1.4 million seats in 2021, its highest-ever year. This record year is the result of new routes and growth from Dallas Fort Worth, Chicago O’Hare, and Philadelphia. This year, American, Delta, Silver, and United serve Key West.
Various tourism entities are saying it’s going to be their best year ever such as The Reach Key West, Curio Collection by Hilton and Southernmost Tattoo shop.
The rise in tourism is without the traditional hordes of cruise ship goers.
Advocates for limiting cruise ships in Key West say water quality improved while they were gone. A new study from Florida International University agrees.