Travel to Florida fell in 2007, according to a state estimate released Friday, amid suggestions that many American travelers may have chosen to vacation closer to home.

Visit Florida, the state’s tourism-advertising agency, said 82.4 million travelers visited Florida last year, down 1.8 percent from 83.9 million in 2006.

The 1.5 million drop was attributed to fewer drivers, as non-air arrivals to the state fell 5.5 percent to 39 million. Arrivals by air rose 2 percent to 43.4 million. Another bright spot: Intrastate travel rose 7.3 percent to more than 13.9 million.

Visit Florida President and Chief Executive Officer Bud Nocera said it is possible higher gasoline prices are deterring vacationers from traveling too far afield by car.

Geographically, domestic travel to Florida slipped 2.1 percent to about 76 million last year. The number of overseas visitors, who are particularly coveted by the tourism industry because they stay longer and spend more, remained essentially flat at 4.1 million.

Canadian visitors rose sharply, jumping 10.2 percent to 2.3 million travelers. Visit Florida attributed the increase to the rise of the Canadian dollar against the U.S. dollar.

Visit Florida hopes the 2007 slide in travel will help persuade Florida lawmakers to give the organization $43.4 million in public money this spring to spend on tourism advertising!

We’ll keep you posted if the budget is approved.