The launch of Epic Universe rocketed Orange County’s tourist-tax collections to the best degree ever for the month of Could.
The tax introduced in practically $30 million for the month, about $1.6 million greater than the earlier finest for Could, set final yr. The 5.7 %, year-over-year income enhance got here although the eye-popping new theme park opened Could 22, simply ten days from the tip of the month.
“I’m excited to see what the June numbers are,” stated Comptroller Phil Diamond, whose workplace tracks the revenues generated by the 6% surcharge on the price of a resort room and different short-term rental lodging. “That’s going to be the primary full month of Epic,” he stated.
Tourism figures have a tendency to slip in Could, a month sandwiched between Spring Break and peak summer time journey intervals.
The month-to-month TDT report lags about 5 weeks behind hotel-tax collections. June figures can be launched in early August.
Epic Universe opens, and Harry Potter journey shortly attracts a crowd (and a 300-minute wait)
Diamond has famous new theme parks have traditionally boosted TDT collections.
When Disney’s Animal Kingdom opened in 1998, TDT went up about 8%.
The next yr, Islands of Journey at Common lifted TDT figures about 2%.
Common’s opening of the Harry Potter points of interest at Common helped elevate TDT collections about 4% in 2010.
Diamond stated many components can transfer tourism up or down, together with the energy of each the U.S. and world economies and worldwide battle, “however Orlando has a really robust tourism base and, general, I believe it’s very well-positioned for achievement in the long run.”
Based on information cited by Diamond and credited to Go to Orlando, the area’s TDT-funded advertising and marketing company, resort occupancy in Could 2025 rose to 69.2%, up 0.6% year-over-year, whereas resort demand elevated 2.6%, a determine impacted by 2,500 new resort rooms out there.
The typical every day room price climbed to $198.20 in Could, up from $189.30 in Could 2024.
Three massive gatherings in Could on the Orange County Conference Middle additionally helped enhance TDT figures.
The conference heart hosted about 27,000 folks for Coverings, the most important ceramic tile and pure stone convention and exhibition within the U.S. and North America; 17,500 attendees for a mega-tournament staged by U.S. Chess; and 15,000 for a expertise present.
Casandra Matej, president & CEO of Go to Orlando, stated advance resort bookings are barely forward of final summer time’s figures. However bookings within the short-term rental market are pacing 15% forward of this time final yr.
By way of the primary eight months of the present fiscal yr, which started Oct. 1, TDT collections are about $13.1 million forward of final yr’s by the identical interval. Fiscal Yr 2024 ended with a file complete of $359.4 million, besting Fiscal Yr 2023 by about $140,000.
TDT has paid to construct, broaden, function and preserve the conference heart; fund Go to Orlando and tourism promotion; construct and improve public venues like Tenting World Stadium and the KIA Middle; and assist neighborhood arts, cultural applications and museums.
shudak@orlandosentinel.com