Tourist Tax Collections in Orange County Surpass Expectations According to recent data from Orange County, tourist tax collections have experienced a significant surge. The Figures provided by the Orange County Comptroller reveal that the Tourist Development Tax (TDT) collections for May 2024 reached a staggering $28,383,700, representing an 8. 3% increase compared to the previous year's May collections.
This figure is accompanied by a 6. 3% decrease from April 2024's collections, reflecting a brief slowdown before the season's peak. The TDT, also referred to as the "bed tax," is a 6% fee added to hotel guests' bills. The revenue generated from this fee is utilized to fund various tourism-related expenditures, such as venue maintenance, arts initiatives... and community development.
The surging collections have prompted Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings to express his delight at the record-breaking figures, noting that the reserves have increased by more than $6 million to a total of over $395 million. The mayor emphasized that these reserves would enable the county to invest in community venues, the Convention Center, and cultural arts.
Brian Uhl, General Manager of Ole Red at ICON Park, highlighted the importance of external promotion for attractions like his establishment. He acknowledged that Visit Orlando, a non-profit organization responsible for marketing nearly 15,000 companies, including the Orange County Convention Center... plays a vital role in promoting Orlando as a prime tourist destination.
Uhl stressed that the association's marketing efforts are crucial for maintaining the city's top vacation spot status and benefiting the local community. Visit Orlando's role in promoting Orlando has been a key factor in the tourist tax collections' growth. The organization's efforts have been recognized by Orlando's newest resort, "Evermore Orlando Resort," "which has spoken out in support of the necessity to charge guests additional fees." Overall, the significant increase in tourist tax collections has left a positive impression on Orange County officials.
The data suggests that the Orange County's economic growth and stability are crucial components of its tourism industry's success.
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Tourist tax collections are soaring, for now, according to new data from Orange County. For attractions like Ole Red at ICON Park, getting outside promotion is key. General Manager Brian Uhl says they partly depend on extra promotion to keep the music flowing.
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