Lyndsay Fogarty
In 2015, Central Florida welcomed over 66 Million visitors. The record visitation benefits the local economy and community just as much as it supports the Hospitality Industry, which supports the employment of over 400,000, or one in every three Central Floridians, and collects $2 billion in State taxes.
The Tourist Development Tax (TDT), a tax that the Lodging Industry successfully lobbied for in 1977 to provide a dedicated revenue stream for tourism promotion and investment, collected $226 million in revenue for Orange County in 2015. These TDT funds have been used to construct and enhance important community venues that many Central Floridians enjoy regularly, such as the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, the Amway Center, Camping World Stadium and the Orange County Convention Center.
Recent TDT investments to improve Camping World Stadium have already begun paying off, as Orlando was recently announced as the host of the 2017 NFL Pro Bowl. Additionally, the Camping World Kickoff takes place on Labor Day when the Florida State University Seminoles will face the Ole Miss Rebels in a nationally televised, neutral-site season-opening game on Monday, Sept. 5.
Not only does the Tourism and Hospitality Industry provide jobs and business opportunities to Central Florida residents, it provides us with memorable experiences we enjoy with family and friends.
Visit OurTourismBenefits.co
m for more information on the economic and community benefits of Tourism in Central Florida.
Caption: CFHLA President and CEO Richard Maladecki along with LBA Hospitality Representatives, District 6 Commissioner Samuel Ings and Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce Business Development Manager Ric Castro attend a recent groundbreaking for the Residence Inn Universal Studios.
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