Orange County’s tourist-tax revenues reached their highest point ever in May thanks to the introduction of Epic Universe.
The tax generated around $30 million for the month, which is roughly $1.6 million higher than the previous May record set the year before. Even though the stunning new theme park debuted on May 22, just 10 days before the end of the month, the income increased by 5.7% year over year.
Comptroller Phil Diamond, whose office monitors the money made from the 6% tax on hotel rooms and other short-term rental accommodations, expressed excitement over the June figures. “That will be Epic’s first full month,” he stated.
May, which falls between Spring Break and the busiest travel months of the summer, sees a decline in tourism numbers.
Hotel-tax collections are around five weeks ahead of the monthly TDT report. Early August will see the release of the June data.
The Harry Potter ride immediately attracts a large audience when Epic Universe opens, and there is a 300-minute wait.
According to Diamond, TDT collections have typically increased with the opening of new theme parks.
TDT increased by almost 8% in 1998 with the opening of Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
Islands of Adventure at Universal increased TDT stats by almost 2% the next year.
In 2010, TDT collections increased by roughly 4% as a result of Universal’s Harry Potter attractions.
According to Diamond, a number of factors, such as the health of the global and U.S. economies and foreign conflicts, can cause tourism to rise or fall. However, Orlando has a robust tourist industry and, all things considered, I believe it is well-positioned for long-term success.
In May 2025, hotel occupancy grew to 69.2%, up 0.6% year-over-year, while hotel demand increased 2.6%, a figure influenced by 2,500 new hotel rooms in the market, according to figures quoted by Diamond and attributed to Visit Orlando, the region’s TDT-funded marketing agency.
In May, the average daily lodging fee increased from $189.30 in May 2024 to $198.20.
TDT numbers were also increased by three sizable events held at the Orange County Convention Center in May.
About 27,000 people attended Coverings, the biggest conference and exposition for ceramic tile and natural stone in the United States and North America; 17,500 people attended a U.S. Chess mega-tournament; and 15,000 people attended a technology display at the convention center.
Advance hotel reservations are marginally higher than those from previous summer, according to Casandra Matej, president and CEO of Visit Orlando. However, reservations in the market for short-term rentals are 15% higher than they were at this time last year.
TDT has collected around $13.1 million more than it did during the same period last year through the first eight months of the current fiscal year, which started on October 1. With a record total of $359.4 million at the end of Fiscal Year 2024, it exceeded Fiscal Year 2023 by around $140,000.
TDT has funded the construction, expansion, operation, and upkeep of the convention center; Visit Orlando and tourism promotion; the construction and renovation of public spaces such as the KIA Center and Camping World Stadium; and the support of museums, cultural events, and community arts.
OrlandoSentinel.com/shudak
