Last issue, I noted that 2018 -- despite fourth-quarter projections that signal a small dip in hotel demand and international travel -- will likely go down as another record year for our tourism industry.
To illustrate, here are a few areas where we're seeing the most success.
• In the lodging sector, the average daily room rate ($127.62) is at an all-time high, and hotel occupancy (78.8 percent) continues to be well above state and national averages.
• Year to date, revenue from Orange County's tourist development tax, levied on overnight visitors, has climbed 8.8 percent.
• Passenger traffic at Orlando International Airport, now the state's busiest, is also up 5.4 percent year to date, and is on pace to surpass 47 million on a rolling 12-month basis.
Add it all up and it's been a very strong year for Orlando's No. 1 industry. We'll continue to monitor performance and keep you posted on any changes that might impact the future.
-- George Aguel
