City Travel Briefing: Miami

Miami is one of the USA’s most popular destinations

Ranking second only to New York City and 20th globally, Miami is one of the most visited cities in the world, and is popular with inbound travellers and domestic travellers alike, particularly those from the north-east.

2017 a regrouping year for tourism

2017 and 2018 saw significant threats from tropical storms, the closure of the area’s primary convention centre for renovations, and economic difficulties in many of Miami’s major international source markets. 2019 looks brighter, as the convention centre reopens and the US economy remains stable.

Connectivity remains a priority

While Miami International Airport is already one of the busiest in the US, Miami-Dade County is investing significantly to improve public transportation. Initiatives include repairs to crucial highway I-95, and plans to expand the city’s Metrorail.

Environmental threats a major concern

Beyond Miami’s annual risk of hurricanes and tropical storms, the city’s low elevation puts it at significant risk of detrimental impacts from climate change and especially rising sea level. Much of the city’s smart city and infrastructure initiatives surround safeguarding Miami from rising sea levels.

Relations between the US and Cuba remain a question mark

As tensions between the US and Cuba have eased in recent years, Miami has developed a position as the base point for trips by US travellers to Cuba, and most flights connecting the two countries are from Miami. The current administration has discussed limiting tourism to Cuba, which jeopardises the benefits Miami has seen from tourists travelling from other parts of the country to Miami at the start of an outbound trip to Cuba.