March 12–The trend of Orange County hotel tax revenue increasing year-over-year remains steady entering 2018.
Orange County Comptroller Phil Diamond announced the tax generated $23.7 million in January, a nearly 15 percent jump from January 2017.
"We all hope for a strong economy. This is a great way to start the new year," Diamond said in a press release.
The 6 percent surcharge is taxed on short-term rentals, mostly hotels and motels.
The hotel tax helps pay for projects that are intended to grow tourism, including expansions at Orange County Convention Center or landing more high-profile sporting events, such as the NFL Pro Bowl at Orlando's Camping World Stadium.
The tax revenues have been on the rise as more hotels are built and unforeseen circumstances happen, such as Hurricane Irma that forced evacuees from elsewhere in the state to come stay in the Orlando area for several days.
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