We have cancelled out trip to Florida when I was renewing my status in the United States. I am a Turkish Citizen and I came to United States for my master degree as an F-1 Student. Then I met my wife who is actually from Florida and we get married before my visa was expired. However, the process was still long and even though I had legal status in the United States I was afraid to visit Florida because we were in a transition period from my F-1 visa to permanent resident. The main reason was the rhetoric, it seems like there is a very short and angry guy doesn't want any foreigners to visit Florida. So I didn't wanna push the limits even though I was in the United States legally.
I am the founder of Vibe Adventures in Mexico City, I'm Alex Veka. I delayed a March 2025 work visit to Miami and transitioned the meetings to Mexico City and Panama City. The reason we rescheduled the plans was some of my teammates had excessively long U.S. visa wait times and were concerned about additional border queries, two of my LGBTQ co-workers felt nervous about Florida's recent steps and climate for queer individuals, a few of the travelers were uncomfortable Florida's permitless carry gun law, and Miami Beach with its "Break Up With Spring Break" sentiment made my younger travelers choose Puerto Vallarta and Mexico City, and flights and hotels there were pricier than MEX or PTY during our days.
As a strong proponent of social progress and change, I find it challenging to contribute to Florida's economy as a visitor. The state's majority GOP leadership continues to make Florida less attractive with out-of-touch policies that don't seem to embrace all people. Their attacks on DEI, erasing Black History, book bans, the lack of progress on prison reform, Anti-LBGTQ+ bills, and controversial Stand Your Ground / new open carry laws are among the leading reasons to avoid the state. I was recently scheduled to travel to Jacksonville, FL, but opted to cancel as a result of the inhumane treatment during ICE operations supported by the state's conservative leadership. I decided to travel to Portland, Oregon, to enjoy the clean air, beautiful Oregon scenery, and entertainment. It was a decision that I did not regret. The Oregonians that I met were pleasant and very inviting.
Yes — I had planned a family trip to Miami in early 2025, but we decided to postpone it indefinitely due to growing safety and political concerns. I've traveled to Florida many times over the years for both business and leisure, but lately, the state's shifting social climate — especially around LGBTQ+ visibility and open carry laws — has made the destination feel less welcoming. Even as someone who travels often for conferences, I sensed a change in tone from friends and colleagues who used to visit regularly but now hesitate. That collective sentiment definitely influenced my decision. From a practical standpoint, the new open carry law was the final factor that pushed us to cancel. As a parent, safety always comes first, and the idea of being in crowded public areas where anyone could legally carry a weapon didn't sit right with me. Instead, we chose San Diego — a destination that offered a similar warm climate and beach atmosphere but felt far more comfortable socially and politically. It's a reminder that tourism decisions today are as much about values and peace of mind as they are about sunshine and sand.
Hi! I'm based in Chicago, and I had actually planned a South Florida trip for early 2025, but I ended up changing my destination for a mix of reasons. The biggest factor for me was the rising cost of the trip this year. Hotel prices in Miami and Fort Lauderdale were noticeably higher than what I paid in 2023. Even simple weekend stays were suddenly in the "premium" range, which made the trip feel less reasonable for a short vacation. Florida's recent policy changes also played a part in my decision. Some of the immigration and customs conversations around increased questioning of travelers made me feel like the overall experience might be more stressful than relaxing. I wasn't worried for safety, but I didn't want a trip that starts with tension. The new open-carry environment also made me a bit uneasy. I'm personally more comfortable in places with stricter gun laws, especially when traveling with friends. It wasn't a deal-breaker on its own, but it added to the overall "maybe not this year" feeling. So I ended up choosing San Diego instead. It still gave me the beach vibe, warm weather, good nightlife, and a friendly environment without the rising costs and policy-related concerns. Plus, the LGBTQ+ acceptance and overall atmosphere there just felt more aligned with what my group was looking for. In short, it wasn't one single issue—just a combination of higher prices, shifting policies, and comfort-level concerns that made South Florida less appealing for 2025.
I approach Florida's new open-carry law from a legal-risk and public-policy perspective rather than an emotional one. From a legal standpoint, any expansion of firearm-carrying rights—whether open carry, permitless carry, or constitutional carry—changes the risk landscape for both residents and visitors. Open carry, in particular, introduces additional variables, because the presence of visibly armed individuals often elevates perceived danger even when no unlawful conduct is occurring. This perception may not correlate with crime statistics, but it is nonetheless a meaningful factor in visitor decision-making. When firearms are openly visible, bystanders may struggle to distinguish lawful carriers from individuals who pose a genuine threat. This can lead to heightened public anxiety, more 911 calls, and, in some cases, confusion among law-enforcement officers. These concerns can influence travel choices, particularly for families with young children, international visitors. Professionally, I often evaluate jurisdictions based on the legal environment rather than the emotional one. When choosing destinations for conferences, client meetings, or legal seminars, my primary considerations include liability exposure for participants, local law-enforcement practices. In summary, Florida's open-carry law does not personally make me feel unsafe; however, it does introduce additional risk-management considerations that are legally relevant to travelers, families, businesses, and event organizers.
I decided not to go to South Florida this year due to the new open carry law. Knowing that people could carry guns openly in public made me feel uneasy about walking around or going to crowded places so I decided to go to a different state with stricter gun rules instead. Changing my plans ended up costing us extra because I had to rebook flights and hotels but I have no regret because I wouldn't risk it. My decision was about feeling safe, not politics and going to a new destination still allowed us to enjoy ourselves without worrying about guns.
My itinerary fell apart when I noticed rental car prices behaving like fast day traders. Economic swings in the region created wild surges that sent even the smallest cars into premium territory. One compact model doubled in price in a matter of days, and the company hinted that more increases were possible if demand shifted. When the cost of simple mobility becomes unpredictable, it pushes you to question every other part of the trip. I decided to wait for calmer pricing rather than build a vacation on a moving target.
I delayed the trip after several hotels explained that service would be limited due to staffing shortages tied to shifting local wage expectations and new operational rules. Breakfast hours changed week to week, housekeeping was available only with advance notice, and amenities like pools or lounges followed unpredictable schedules. I love South Florida, but I wanted the trip to feel like a real break. When a destination hints that you might spend half the time adjusting to its internal challenges, postponing becomes the most relaxing choice you can make.