(The Center Square) –Central Florida saw a record-breaking $98.6 billion in economic impact from its tourism industry last year, according to a new study released this week.
Direct visitor spending hit nearly $63 billion in 2025, up 5% from the previous year, according to the Tourism Economics study commissioned by Visit Orlando and other partners.
Orange County, which houses the majority of Disney World, was the location that received the majority of visitor spending at 85%. Twelve-percent of visitor spending occurred in Osceola County, which also houses a smaller portion of Disney World. Another 3% of visitor spending took place in Seminole County, according to the study.
A record 76.7 million people visited Central Florida last year, according to Visit Orlando. In addition to direct visitor spending, tourism generated over $35 billion in indirect and induced economic activity.
"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 related activity brought in more than $7 billion in state and local tax revenue, an increase of 4.8% from 2025, the study found.
It is estimated that tourism offsets the average Central Florida household tax burden by $7,690 a year. Households in Orange County get the greatest benefit where tourism offsets the average household tax burden by more than $10,705 per year, according to the study.
Beyond the tax benefits, tourism’s economic impact supported over 476,541 jobs across Orange, Osceola, and Seminole counties in 2025. Of those jobs, over 294,659 were directly supported by tourism through hotels, restaurants, attractions and entertainment venues, the study found.
“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."
Originally published on thecentersquare.com, part of the BLOX Digital Content Exchange.
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