Where Is Orange County’s $786 Million Tourist Tax Money Going? (2026)
Quick answer
As of October 2026, Orange County commissioners approved a $786 million tourist development tax plan covering 13 projects, passed in a 6-1 vote. The money comes from the 6% tax visitors pay on hotel and vacation rental stays, and by law it funds only direct tourism purposes.
| Fact | Figure |
|---|---|
| Total plan approved | $786 million across 13 projects |
| Commission vote | 6-1, with Commissioner Kelly Martinez Semrad against |
| Tax source | 6% tourist development tax on hotel and vacation rental stays |
| Largest allocation | Dr. Phillips Center master plan, $350 million plus financing costs |
| Eatonville Museum of Culture and History | $60 million from FY27 |
| Florida Citrus Sports parking structure (Camping World Stadium garage) | $52.5 million from FY28 |
| UCF soccer stadium and track | $46 million from FY29 |
| Amount trimmed from the original proposal | About $50 million |
Sources: ClickOrlando (WKMG): Orange County commissioners OK nearly $800M tourist tax plan for 13 projects (data as of October 2026; checked Oct 28, 2026); The Orlando Real: Orange County leaders approve $786M tourist tax funding plan (data as of October 2026; checked Oct 28, 2026); Central Florida Public Media: Orange commission approves TDT list with $350 million for Dr. Phillips (data as of October 2026; checked Oct 28, 2026).
How much tourist tax money did Orange County approve?
As of October 2026, Orange County commissioners approved a $786 million tourist development tax plan covering 13 projects, passed in a 6-1 vote, with the lone no vote from Commissioner Kelly Martinez Semrad.
The plan took shape after Mayor Jerry Demings circulated an Oct. 8 memo, and commissioners held a roughly five-hour workshop on Oct. 19 with dozens of public speakers. About $50 million was trimmed from the original proposal so the final total of $786 million would adhere to the county reserve requirements. The tourist development tax is a 6% charge visitors pay on hotel and vacation rental stays, and state law limits the money to direct tourism purposes such as marketing, publicly owned event venues and convention center operations.
What projects are on the tourist tax list?
Thirteen projects made the final list, ranging from museums and grant programs to sports venues, with funding phased across fiscal years from FY27 through FY29 and beyond.
- Dr. Phillips Center master plan: $350 million plus financing costs, bonded by the City of Orlando
- ARC grant program: $75 million, FY29 to FY33
- Eatonville Museum of Culture and History: $60 million from FY27
- Florida Citrus Sports parking structure (Camping World Stadium garage): $52.5 million from FY28
- Natural Resource Tourism Infrastructure Grant: $50 million over 10 years from FY28
- Eco-tourism Grant: $50 million over 10 years from FY28
- UCF soccer stadium and track: $46 million from FY29
- City of Ocoee Forest Lake Golf Club and Conference Campus: $30 million from FY28
- I AM Children’s Museum, Winter Garden: $25 million from FY27
- Eatonville CRA Heritage Tourism District: $20 million from FY28
- Immerse Festival: $12.5 million ($4.75 million existing Blockbuster grant plus $7.75 million future tourist tax), FY27
- Orange Audubon natural history museum at Apopka birding park: $12 million from FY27
- Arts and Cultural Affairs, raised from 5% to 6% of the first four cents (about $3 million per year from FY2027)
Which project is getting the most tourist tax money?
The Dr. Phillips Center master plan is the largest line item at $350 million, plus financing costs, and it will be bonded by the City of Orlando.
The center had asked for $750 million and Mayor Jerry Demings recommended $400 million, but Commissioner Mayra Uribe moved to reduce the allocation to $350 million and redirect the savings to smaller projects in Ocoee and Winter Garden. Mayor Buddy Dyer said the City of Orlando is prepared to handle the bonding. Funding agreements go to the county comptroller for review before any money is distributed.
Does the tourist tax affect Orange County homeowners?
No. Visitors pay the tax on hotel and vacation rental stays, not local homeowners.
By state law, and as explained in the video, tourist development tax money cannot pay for housing, public schools or routine road maintenance. It is restricted to direct tourism purposes, which is why it flows to arts, museums, sports venues and similar attractions. The stated goal of the plan is a two-part one: creating jobs for locals and giving visitors more to do.
When does the tourist tax funding start?
Some allocations begin in the 2027 fiscal year, while others are phased in through 2029 and beyond.
Comptroller Phil Diamond has said there will be no additional available tourist development tax funding for other projects until 2033, so the approved list largely sets the county tourism spending for years. Funding agreements must clear county comptroller review before dollars are released.
Frequently asked questions
How much did Orange County approve for the tourist tax plan?
Orange County commissioners approved a $786 million tourist development tax plan covering 13 projects in a 6-1 vote in October 2026. The figure came after about $50 million was trimmed from the original proposal to meet the county reserve requirements. The money comes from the 6% tax visitors pay on hotel and vacation rental stays.
Which project receives the most tourist tax funding?
The Dr. Phillips Center master plan is the largest allocation at $350 million, plus financing costs, bonded by the City of Orlando. The center originally requested $750 million, and the recommended figure was $400 million before commissioners reduced it to $350 million and redirected the savings toward smaller projects in Ocoee and Winter Garden.
What is the tourist development tax?
The tourist development tax is a 6% charge visitors pay on hotel and vacation rental stays in Orange County. State law limits how the money can be used, allowing only direct tourism purposes such as marketing, publicly owned event venues and convention center operations. It cannot pay for housing, public schools or routine road maintenance.
Do Orange County homeowners pay the tourist tax?
No. The tourist development tax is paid by visitors staying in hotels and vacation rentals, not by local homeowners. Because state law restricts the money to direct tourism purposes, it cannot be spent on housing, public schools or routine road maintenance. The stated goal of the plan is to create jobs for locals and attract more for visitors to do.
When does the tourist tax funding begin?
Funding is phased across fiscal years, with some allocations starting in the 2027 fiscal year and others running through 2029 and later. Comptroller Phil Diamond has said no additional tourist development tax funding will be available for other projects until 2033. Funding agreements must pass county comptroller review before any money is distributed.
How many projects are on the tourist tax list, and what are some of them?
The final list includes 13 projects. Examples are the Dr. Phillips Center master plan at $350 million, a $60 million Eatonville Museum of Culture and History, a $52.5 million Florida Citrus Sports parking structure, a $46 million UCF soccer stadium and track, and a $25 million I AM Children’s Museum in Winter Garden.
Sources
- ClickOrlando (WKMG): Orange County commissioners OK nearly $800M tourist tax plan for 13 projects (Oct 18, updated Oct 19, 2026; checked Oct 28, 2026)
- The Orlando Real: Orange County leaders approve $786M tourist tax funding plan (October 2026; checked Oct 28, 2026)
- Orlando Weekly: Orange County OKs controversial $786M tourist tax spending plan (October 2026; checked Oct 28, 2026)
- Central Florida Public Media: Orange commission approves TDT list with $350 million for Dr. Phillips (Oct 20, 2026; checked Oct 28, 2026)
- Jared Jones – Orlando Living (YouTube): Where Is Orlando’s $800M Tourism Tax ACTUALLY Going? (published Oct 27, 2026; checked Oct 28, 2026)