By the numbers: How tourism compares across Lee, Collier and Charlotte counties

LEE COUNTY, Fla (WINK) — Tourism data from 2025 and early 2026 shows Southwest Florida continues to draw millions of visitors and billions in spending.

WINK Investigates reviewed the most recent reports from Lee County, Collier County, and Charlotte County — including full-year 2025 data and the latest updates from January and February 2026.

Data obtained by WINK Investigates shows Lee County tracks tourism by calendar year, while Collier and Charlotte counties report by fiscal year. That means the numbers don’t line up perfectly — but looking at the same metrics, like visitors and spending, helps show the bigger picture.

According to its 2025 calendar report, Lee County saw more than 3.3 million visitors, who spent over $3.3 billion — both increases compared to calendar year 2024.

More recent data shows that momentum continuing into 2026. In February of this year alone, hotel occupancy reached more than 80%, and Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) saw about 1.2 million passengers, which is up 1.4 percent.

In Collier County, fiscal year 2025 data shows about 2.8 million visitors and roughly $2.8 billion in direct spending, which was slightly down compared to the previous fiscal year.

The most recent monthly Collier County data just from January 2026 shows more than 307,000 visitors and $356 million in spending.

In Charlotte County, fiscal year 2025 totals show just over 1.1 million visitors and about $850 million in spending, both down slightly from the previous year. However, county officials say those declines need context.

In 2024, hurricane recovery workers temporarily boosted tourism-related numbers, including hotel stays and spending. As those workers left, the data naturally dropped, the county says reflects a return to more typical tourism patterns rather than a sharp decline.

Charlotte County told WINK Investigates Monday that tourist development tax collections were up 7% in February and up 3.1% for the FY26 so far.

WINK Investigates will keep you posted as we wait for more recent data.