Orlando reports record visitor numbers in 2015

Florida’s theme park capital Orlando attracted a record 66.1 million tourists last year.

The figure represents a 5.5 per cent increase on 2014, and consolidates Orlando’s position as the most visited destination in the US. Visitor numbers have more than doubled over the past 20 years, growing from 32.4 million in 1995.

A record 33 million room nights were sold in Orlando in 2015, resulting in record tourist development tax collections of more than $230 million in Orange County, home to the central Florida tourism district.

Orlando’s hotel inventory has grown by more than 37% since 1995 – topping 117,000 rooms last year – while the number of passengers using Orlando International Airport increased by more than 72 per cent over the period, reaching 38.8 million in 2015.

George Aguel, Visit Orlando president and chief executive, said: “Reaching more than 66 million visitors to Orlando is an amazing accomplishment for our tourism community.

‘Rapid growth’

“This new milestone and rapid growth over the past two decades is a result of having a tourism industry and community partners that are focused on growth and investment, dedication to the needs of our visitors and the global marketing and sales efforts of our Visit Orlando team and member companies.”

Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs added: “We’re so proud to break another national record and again be named the top visitor destination for the U.S.

“With our superb convention center and culture of hospitality, world-class theme parks, family-friendly entertainment and luxury dining and lodging amenities, it’s no surprise that Central Florida remains the top destination for business, family and leisure guests.”

Visit Orlando announced the record-breaking achievement at its annual Travel & Tourism Luncheon, a celebration of Orlando’s tourism community, attended by more than 800 tourism and community leaders.