TORONTO — Canadian visits to Florida were up 4.8% in the first two months of this year, making gains on 2009 figures that saw 2.6 million Canadians coming to the Sunshine State, said Tracy Vaughan, Visit Florida’s director international sales & marketing.

Vaughan led a delegation of Florida reps at the recent ‘Awaken Your Florida Side’ industry event in Toronto.

“Canada is so important to us. Canada is still our number one international market and we’re so appreciative of that,” said Vaughan.

The ratio of Canadians arriving in Florida by air and non-air were 61% and 39% respectively. New developments and deals from some of the Visit Florida partners were the highlight of the event.

The new Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport serving Panama City Beach is set to open May 23, says PR rep Lindsay Bennett. Bustling with restaurants and shops, the Panama City Beach area has seen “significant growth over the past five or six years – a lot has changed,” says Bennett. The SunCard offers discounts on hotels, dining and attractions from December through March, she adds.

St. Pete/Clearwater is seeing the benefits of direct lift out of Toronto from both Air Canada and WestJet, said rep Mary Haban.

Jacksonville, located just south of the Georgia state line, “is where Florida begins,” says Julie Watson. A new Canada-specific page with special deals and rates can be found at www.visitjacksonville.com/canadiantravelers/.

Canada just recently nudged out the UK as Orlando’s top international market, says rep Julie Lepsetz. A new version of the Orlando Magicard offers year-round savings, she adds. Orlando is getting ready for the arrival of Harry Potter when The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort opens on June 18.

Other new Florida attraction highlights include SeaWorld Aquatica’s all-new Omaka Rocka waterslide and the new Sesame Street Safari of Fun at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. And in Ft. Lauderdale, visitors can take advantage of special two-for-one attraction deals May 1 – Sept. 30.