ORLANDO, Fla. – Orange County collected fewer tourist tax dollars in May compared to April, according to newly released estimates by the county comptroller’s office, but the county still had a better May than it did in 2023 — by about $2.2 million.
Comptroller Phil Diamond said the county collected $28,383,700 in Tourist Development Taxes for May 2024. That’s 8.3% higher than it collected in May 2023.
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However, May 2024 collections were lower than collections in April 2024 by 6.3%, or $1.9 million.
Overall, TDT collections are down by $1.1 million this fiscal year, or 0.4%.
The Tourist Development Tax is a tax levied on hotel room nights, vacation rentals and other short-term lodgings. In Orange County, the tax is 6%. 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.
[RELATED: Orange County’s tourist tax collections break records. Here’s what the money is used for and why]
According to Visit Orlando, hotel occupancy in the Metro Orlando area was 68.9%, essentially flat compared to May 2023. The average daily hotel rate was $189.92, 1.7% higher than it was in 2023.
Visit Orlando says it is expecting a big July 4 period in Orlando, with advance bookings up 16% from last year. The agency says advance airline ticket sales are up 6.6% for the summer with both domestic and international travel.
June TDT collections will be released in August.
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