News Summary
Orange County has approved an additional $10 million funding for Visit Orlando, driven by a surge in tourist development tax revenues. This increase aims to promote tourism amidst record collections influenced by the opening of Universal’s Epic Universe. Despite an audit raising concerns around transparency, the county maintains that the funding is essential for the region’s growing tourism sector. The audit revealed misallocation of funds and recommended reimbursement to the TDT fund. Calls for diversified use of tax revenue for community infrastructure also emerge.
Orlando, Florida – Orange County has approved an increase of $10 million to the budget allocated for Visit Orlando, as confirmed on August 5. This boost in funding comes in light of higher-than-expected tourist development tax (TDT) revenues and is aimed at further promoting tourism in the area.
According to a spokesperson from the county, Visit Orlando is set to receive 30% of the TDT revenue, which has seen a sharp increase fueled largely by the recent opening of Universal’s Epic Universe. The new attraction has drawn significant tourist traffic, contributing to record collections in tourism tax revenues.
The decision to increase Visit Orlando’s budget is particularly noteworthy given the concerns raised in an audit published on July 29. This audit highlighted various issues regarding the use of tourism development tax funds, prompting scrutiny over how effectively the allocated resources are being managed.
Despite the concerns outlined in the audit, county officials deemed the budget increase essential due to the ongoing expansion in the tourism sector. The audit pointed out that some of Visit Orlando’s spending practices did not directly pertain to tourism promotion. Specifically, it identified about $379,780 in expenses for the year 2023 that did not relate to promoting tourism, such as costs associated with March Madness skyboxes and a private car allowance for the organization’s CEO.
Moreover, the audit revealed instances where Visit Orlando mistakenly labeled TDT funds as private revenue. This misclassification raises questions about transparency and accountability regarding public money, particularly since the organization engaged in state legislative lobbying without prior permission from the Orange County Commission, violating their contractual obligations.
As a result of these findings, the audit also recommended that Visit Orlando should consider reimbursing at least $3.54 million to the TDT fund due to these improper spending classifications. County Comptroller Phil Diamond emphasized the necessity for transparency in the use of public funds during the audit’s release.
Visit Orlando has indicated a commitment to financial accountability and transparency, stating that they are working in collaboration with the Comptroller’s Office to address the concerns raised. In light of the audit’s findings, it has been suggested that revising the 2019 agreement between Orange County and Visit Orlando could establish clearer guidelines on the use of TDT funds.
The debate surrounding TDT spending also includes calls from some local officials and lawmakers to diversify its allocations, proposing that a portion of the funds address pressing community needs, such as improving roads and public transportation. Critics have contended that while tourism brings in revenue, tourists also utilize local services, and a part of the tax revenue should be invested in the infrastructure that supports them.
Previous legislative attempts to modify the scope of TDT fund usage faced pushback from the tourism industry, highlighting the ongoing tension between promoting tourism and meeting local community needs. However, the recent budget increase for Visit Orlando signals the county’s commitment to bolster tourism efforts amid a flourishing sector, even as issues of financial management warrant careful examination and resolution.
In conclusion, while the additional funding for Visit Orlando is seen as crucial for leveraging Orlando’s growing appeal as a tourist destination, it also underscores the need for greater scrutiny and transparency regarding how tourism development taxes are utilized, ensuring that both tourism growth and community interests are balanced effectively.
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Additional Resources
- WDBO: Visit Orlando’s Budget Increased
- Click Orlando: Audit Reveals Misclassified Tourist Tax Dollars
- Orlando Sentinel: Plan to Shift Tourist Tax Money is Dead
- Florida Politics: Major Hotel Tax Reform Fails
- Wikipedia: Tourism in Orlando
Author: STAFF HERE ORLANDO WRITER
ORLANDO STAFF WRITER The ORLANDO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREOrlando.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Orlando, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival, Megacon Orlando, and Central Florida Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Orlando Economic Partnership and Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Metro Orlando, plus leading businesses in leisure and hospitality that power the local economy such as Walt Disney World Resort, AdventHealth, and Universal Orlando. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREPetersburg.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
