Fort Lauderdale Hospitality Market Report

Convention expansion and transit links fuel hotel demand. Despite financial pressures weighing on travel budgets, Fort Lauderdale’s hospitality occupancy held steady at around 72 percent last year, ranking among the nation’s top 10. The $1.2 billion Broward County Convention Center expansion, set to finish in fall 2025, will enhance the city’s event-hosting capacity with a 65,000-square-foot ballroom and the county’s third-largest hotel. While this added supply may create competitive pressures, nearby hotels are still expected to see increased group bookings. Steady corporate travel in suburbs like Plantation will also support demand for full- and select-service properties, with segment occupancy rates rising by over 50 basis points last year. Value-oriented travelers facing spending constraints may impact tourism in Pompano and Hollywood Beaches, though Orlando’s Epic Theme Park opening in May could generate spillover demand in Broward County. The recently completed Brightline Rail will likely encourage multi-city vacations and extended stays, especially as the metro’s addition to the Michelin Guide elevates its culinary appeal.