ORLANDO, Fla. – Orange County released its latest Tourist Development Tax numbers for April.
According to a press release from Comptroller Phil Diamond, $30.3 million was collected in April, which was down nearly 10% or $3.3 million from April 2023. It’s the biggest decrease since February 2021.
“We haven’t seen a drop like that in a while and I hope that it’s a one-time thing and I hope that it’s because March was so good that it took some of April’s business,” Diamond explained.
In March, Diamond said about $40.6 million were collected considered to be the highest monthly collections ever.
“March was a record. It had never been that good before, as far as the numbers it was the highest ever and you wish you could have months like that all the time,” Diamond said.
[RELATED: Orange County’s tourist tax collections break records. Here’s what the money is used for and why]
Diamond believes the reason there was a big increase in March was because of spring break and Easter falling in the same month, which drove families to vacation in Central Florida.
“You had people traveling earlier. Prices are a little bit higher so there’s that. You’re going to have more taxes, 6% on a room, so I think when you combine all those things, then you get a good month,” Diamond said.
April 2024 collections were lower than March 2024 collections by $10.2 million or 25.3%.
“You know I think we’ve had 8 out of 10 months where the numbers have been down. It’s just a little slower and a little slumber because last year was just so good it’s hard to say at that level forever,” Diamond said.
With schools out, Diamond believes this summer will stay busy and predicts things will look different when Epic Universe opens next year.
“I know the parks are promoting the summer season. It’s a great time of year to travel. So I think it very well could be a very good summer,” Diamond said.
Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: