**Orlando Tourism Booms During Holiday Season with Bowl Games Driving Revenue**
ORLANDO, Fla. — December is shaping up to be a standout month for tourism in Orlando, with hotel bookings and local economic activity surging during the holiday season.
According to Visit Orlando, hotel reservations for the week between Christmas and New Year’s are outpacing last year’s numbers, signaling a strong end to 2023 for the city’s hospitality industry.
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### **Key Highlights:**
– End-of-year bowl games at Camping World Stadium are projected to generate $100-$150 million for the local economy.
– Hotel bookings for the holiday week are trending higher than last year.
– Rosen Hotels reports near sellout occupancy, thanks in part to football-related tourism.
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The Pop-Tarts Bowl kicks off on Saturday, followed by the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl on Tuesday. These events are proving to be a major draw for visitors, filling hotel rooms and boosting local businesses. Area hoteliers are enthusiastic about the influx of guests, with bowl games providing a significant boost during what is typically a slower period.
For Iowa State football fan Bryce Sneed, the trip to Central Florida is about more than just football. Sneed and his family are taking full advantage of the region’s attractions, including visits to Universal Orlando, local restaurants, and enjoying the warm weather.
Attending bowl games has become an annual tradition for Sneed, who was also in town for the 2021 Cheez-It Bowl when Iowa State faced Clemson. He estimates his family’s trip this year will cost around $3,000, covering accommodations, dining, and entertainment.
“From hotels to restaurants, everything has been really accommodating,” Sneed said.
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### **Tourism Tax and Hotel Occupancy on the Rise**
While Orange County’s Tourism Development Tax (TDT) revenue for December 2023 has seen a slight dip compared to December 2022, Visit Orlando reports that hotel bookings are trending upward. Rosen Hotels has also noticed the positive impact of the bowl games.
“Between Christmas and New Year’s, it usually slows down, but we’ve seen an uptick due to the bowl games,” said Jay Finkelstein, assistant general manager of the Rosen Plaza Hotel. “We’ll be hosting one of the team bands, which has increased our room bookings.”
Finkelstein noted that without the bowl games, the hotel’s occupancy rate would hover around 60%. Thanks to the influx of football fans, the property is now on track for near-capacity bookings.
“This time of year is primarily a leisure market, and we’re seeing a tremendous amount of business from both leisure travelers and conventions,” Finkelstein added.
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### **Economic Impact of Bowl Games**
Steve Hogan, CEO of Florida Citrus Sports, highlighted the significant economic benefits of Orlando’s bowl games. Events like the Cheez-It Bowl, Pop-Tarts Bowl, last month’s Florida Classic, and the recent Cure Bowl are expected to generate between $100 million and $150 million for the local economy.
The Pop-Tarts Bowl is set to kick off at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, promising another exciting event for fans and a continued boost for the region’s tourism industry.
Orlando’s combination of high-profile sporting events, world-class attractions, and warm weather continues to make it a prime destination for holiday travelers.
Source: mynews13.com