ORLANDO, Fla. – Tourist tax collections fell in Orange County in July compared to June, according to the latest numbers released by the county comptroller’s office on Thursday.
Orange County collected $26,610,100 in July from the tourist development tax. This is the 6% tax levied on hotels and other short-term rentals in the county.
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Comptroller Phil Diamond says that is $3.9 million less than what was collected in June, or 12.9% lower.
It’s also $561,000 less than the amount collected in June 2023, or 2.1% less.
[RELATED: Orange County’s tourist tax collections break records. Here’s what the money is used for and why]
Diamond says the top 25 domestic hotel markets saw travel performance flatten in July. He attributes it to fewer trips from people who are watching their budgets, as well as people with higher incomes taking more trips abroad, and the high popularity of the cruise industry at the moment.
Diamond said hotel occupancy in the Metro Orlando area was at 71%, down 3.1% compared to last year, and the average daily rate for rooms was $174.16, compared to $178.14 last year.
Generally, the revenues collected in the TDT must be used for facilities that benefit the tourism industry, according to state law.
In Orange County, the TDT is used to fund Visit Orlando, the county tourism promotion agency, the Orange County Convention Center and the three downtown Orlando venues (Kia Center, Dr. Phillips Performing Arts Center and Camping World Stadium), as well as arts and sports programs.
So far for the fiscal year, TDT collections are down $997,600, or 0.3%. Since April 2023, TDT collections in Orange County have been down 10 months out of 16.
August TDT collections will be released in October.
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