Tourism in Orlando does more than welcome visitors – it helps support local schools and create opportunities for students.
Each year, more than 76 million visitors travel to our destination, contributing to an economic engine that supports jobs, local businesses – and critically, our schools. In fact, visitors pay nearly 50% of the sales tax collected in Orange County, generating more than $5.7 billion that helps fund essential services, including education.
A key portion of Orange County Public School funding also comes from the voter-approved half-cent sales tax, which generates roughly $350 million annually to build and improve local schools. More than half of those dollars are paid by visitors and non-residents, helping create modern learning environments without placing the full burden on local taxpayers.
That impact is visible across the community, with $4 billion invested in new and renovated schools over the past two decades – creating places where students can learn, grow and prepare for the future.
That impact reaches far beyond the classroom. Whether its Wekiva High School students exploring future careers or college students preparing to enter the workforce, tourism helps connect young people with experiences, mentors and opportunities that can shape their futures, all within Central Florida.
From Classroom to Career
For Asia Stanford, that pathway began with curiosity.
Growing up in Jacksonville, Asia spent her time designing roller coasters in video games and even created a business plan centered around theme parks. While she once dreamed of becoming an astronaut, a middle school aviation camp introduced her to new possibilities – setting her on a path toward aerospace engineering.
She chose the University of Central Florida for a reason.
“I wanted to be where the opportunities were,” she has shared – and in Orlando, those opportunities are deeply connected to the tourism-driven aviation ecosystem.
As one of the most visited destinations in the country, Orlando is also home to a thriving aviation and aerospace industry fueled in part by the constant movement of millions of travelers. That environment helped Asia turn her passion into experience.
Now a senior at UCF, Asia has interned with NASA, Boeing, and Honeywell Aerospace – gaining hands-on experience with some of the most respected organizations in the field. She credits mentorship and “putting yourself in rooms where you can grow” as a key part of her journey.
After graduation this August, she will begin her career with Honeywell, a milestone that reflects not just her determination, but the strength of the ecosystem that helped her get there.
Asia’s story is a powerful reminder: when opportunity exists, talent grows.
Investing in the Future
When visitors choose Orlando, they’re doing more than planning a vacation – they’re helping invest in the future of our community.
They’re helping students like Asia pursue ambitious careers. They’re supporting programs that connect education to industry. And they’re contributing to the resources that help our schools and students succeed.
Because of tourism, opportunity isn’t just something students hope for – it’s something they can experience.
Learning Beyond the Classroom
That same spirit of opportunity is also shaping careers in other ways—right here at Visit Orlando.
Through internships with our organization, students gain firsthand experience in destination marketing, communications and research, learning how tourism connects people, businesses and communities.
For Manuela Rodriguez, that journey truly started with a visit. After visiting Orlando as a child in Colombia, she was captivated by the destination's energy and possibilities. When her family moved to Orlando when she was 13, those early memories evolved into a deeper connection to the community and ultimately inspired her career path.
Manuela later joined Visit Orlando as an intern, completing two semesters with the organization before returning in a full-time role. Today, she serves as a CMS Representative on our Digital & Data Strategy team, helping ensure visitors can easily discover and plan their Orlando experiences online.
"My internship at Visit Orlando was truly a turning point in my life. Beyond learning new skills, I gained confidence, built meaningful relationships, and discovered strengths I didn't know I had. I also found my passion for digital channels and the strategy behind data insights. Orlando impacted my life as a child, and now it feels incredibly meaningful to play a small part in helping others create their own memories here."
Her story is a powerful example of how tourism can open doors, create opportunities, and turn aspirations into reality. What began as a childhood visit eventually became a career dedicated to helping others experience the destination that inspired her.
These experiences don't just build résumés—they build confidence, professional networks and a deeper understanding of one of Central Florida's most important industries.
A Ripple Effect That Benefits Everyone
Tourism supports a wide range of career pathways – many of which aren’t always immediately visible.
It fuels the aviation networks that connect our destination to the world. It supports internships that prepare students for the workforce. And it generates critical funding that strengthens our schools.
Together, these impacts create something powerful: a pipeline of talent that grows here, learns here, and contributes back to our community.