Study from Tourism Economics highlights continued growth in visitor spending, job creation and tax revenue driven by tourism
ORLANDO, Fla. (July 30, 2026) – Central Florida's tourism industry generated a record-breaking $98.6 billion in total economic impact in 2025, representing a 4.4% increase over the previous year, according to a new study conducted by Tourism Economics, an Oxford Economics company and leading authority on travel and tourism research.
Commissioned by Visit Orlando, Experience Kissimmee, Seminole County and the Central Florida Hotel & Lodging Association (CFHLA), the report demonstrates the powerful role tourism plays in driving economic growth across the region through visitor spending, employment opportunities and significant tax revenue that supports essential community services.
"Central Florida's tourism economy continues to set the pace nationally, generating unprecedented benefits for residents, businesses and local governments," said Adam Sacks, president of Tourism Economics. "Direct visitor spending has expanded 31% since 2019. This growth reflects Orlando's enduring global appeal, continued investment in new experiences, and the industry's ability to effectively and competitively attract travelers from around the world."
Key Results
According to the study, direct visitor spending reached $62.9 billion in 2025, an increase of 5% compared to 2024, equating to more than $172 million spent every day throughout the region.
Of total visitor spending across the three-county region in 2025, 85% occurred in Orange County, 12% in Osceola County and 3% in Seminole County. In addition to direct spending, tourism generated $35.7 billion in indirect and induced economic activity, producing a total regional economic impact of $98.6 billion. (Indirect sales reflect businesses purchasing goods and services to support the visitor-based industry. Induced sales reflect employees spending wages generated by visitor activity.)
The study follows Visit Orlando's recent announcement that Central Florida welcomed a record 76.7 million visitors in 2025, reinforcing the community’s position as the most visited destination in the United States and a top choice for meetings and conventions.
"Tourism is woven into the fabric of Central Florida and remains one of our region's greatest economic strengths," said Casandra Matej, president and CEO of Visit Orlando. "The visitors who choose to vacation, meet and do business here fuel our local businesses, create jobs and generate critical tax revenue that supports public services. Every visitor who experiences our destination contributes to a stronger, more prosperous community."
Tourism Supports 37% of All Jobs in Region
Tourism's economic impact supported more than 476,541 jobs across Central Florida in 2025 – more than one-third of all jobs in the region. Of those positions, more than 294,659 jobs were directly supported by the tourism industry, including employment at hotels, restaurants, attractions, and entertainment venues. The industry's broader economic reach also supports thousands of positions in sectors such as construction, engineering, transportation, financial services, business operations, architecture, and interior design, many of which are small businesses.
“Our hospitality professionals are the driving force behind both our reputation and our economic success," said Robert Agrusa, President and CEO of the Central Florida Hotel and Lodging Association. "Tourism generated a record high of $29.1 billion in personal wages for our team members and their families in 2025 and now supports more than 37% of all jobs across the Central Florida region. Additionally, the hospitality profession continues to provide strong career pathways with wages that exceed national averages, particularly within the hotel and lodging industry. Simply put, tourism remains the region's leading employer and economic engine."
Tourism Generates Billions in Tax Revenue and Savings for Residents
Tourism continues to deliver significant financial benefits beyond visitor spending. In 2025, tourism-related activity generated $7.1 billion in state and local tax revenue, an increase of 4.8% from the previous year. Those revenues help fund critical public services and infrastructure investments throughout Central Florida, including public safety, education and transportation improvements. In addition, tourism offsets the average household tax burden by approximately $7,690 per year – a 2.9% increase over 2024. In Orange County, the figure is greater at $10,705 per year.
The Tourist Development Tax (a 6% tax on hotel stays and short-term rentals) generates millions of dollars annually for tourism promotion and other community initiatives, yet accounts for only a fraction (7%) of the $7.1 billion in overall local tax revenue generated by visitors through sales and other taxes.
“Osceola County continues to play a vital role in Central Florida’s tourism success, helping drive economic growth, support local businesses and create jobs for residents. The nearly $11 billion economic impact generated by tourism in the county reflects the strength of our destination and the enduring appeal of the Kissimmee experience for travelers from around the world," said DT Minich, President and CEO of Experience Kissimmee. "As visitation continues to grow, we remain focused on supporting a healthy tourism economy that benefits residents while leveraging our world-class vacation home inventory and diverse accommodations to keep Kissimmee competitive on a global stage."
"These record-setting results highlight the critical role tourism plays in sustaining a strong and growing Central Florida economy," said Darren Gray, County Manager Seminole County Board of County Commissioners. "Seminole County's commitment to preserving unique Florida experiences, expanding recreational opportunities and supporting local businesses continues to attract visitors and drive economic growth. We are proud to contribute to this remarkable regional success."
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About Central Florida Hotel & Lodging Association
The Central Florida Hotel and Lodging Association’s mission is to represent the Central Florida Hospitality Industry, by setting the standard of excellence through advocacy, collaboration, education, recognition, and service. As the largest regional lodging association in the United States, CFHLA represents more than 151,000 hotel rooms throughout the Central Florida Region (including but not limited to Lake, Orange, Osceola, Polk and Seminole counties) and more than 500 "supplier" organizations that do business with the hospitality and tourism industries.
For more information on the Central Florida Hotel and Lodging Association, please visit www.cfhla.org.
About Experience Kissimmee
Experience Kissimmee is the official tourism authority for Osceola County, Florida. Located at the heart of Central Florida, Kissimmee is 25 minutes from Orlando International Airport (MCO), minutes from world-famous theme parks and attractions, and nestled in carefully preserved outdoor spaces so visitors can reconnect with nature. Also known as the Vacation Home Capital of the World®, Kissimmee has sprawling resorts with thousands of options ranging from two-bedroom condos to 15- bedroom mansions.
About Orlando North, Seminole County
Teeming with old Florida charm and young Florida vibrancy, Orlando North, Seminole County offers visitors nature-based attractions, eclectic dining, and a booming microbrew scene. With over 2,000 waterways, you'll discover a wide array of thrilling outdoor activities from paddling in clear freshwater springs and rivers to air boating among alligators or zooming through an aerial zip line course. It also features an array of sports and training facilities for amateur tournament play, including the 102-acre Boombah Sports Complex at Seminole County. Getting here is easy via Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB), aboard the Amtrak Auto Train, or via auto on 1-95 and 1-4. All this and it's less than an hour's drive to area theme parks and beaches! 407- 665-2900 or visit: www.DoOrlandoNorth.com.
About Visit Orlando
Visit Orlando is The Official Tourism Association® for Orlando, the most visited destination in the United States, Theme Park Capital of the World® and No. 1 meeting destination in the country. A not-for-profit trade association that brands, markets and sells the Orlando destination globally, the organization represents more than 1,600 member companies comprising every segment of Central Florida’s tourism community.
Visit Orlando connects consumers and business groups with all facets of Orlando’s travel community, whether for a vacation or meeting. Home to 15 of the world’s top theme parks and water parks — as well as nature and outdoor adventures, vibrant neighborhoods, a dynamic dining scene with Michelin-recognized restaurants, and a robust calendar of entertainment and sports events — Orlando is a diverse, welcoming and inclusive community for all travelers. Find more information at VisitOrlando.com, VisitOrlando.org or OrlandoMeeting.com.
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