On October 19, 2026, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners approved a $786 million tourist tax funding plan by a 6 to 1 vote, reshaping cultural and tourism infrastructure across Greater Orlando for years to come. For investors in the region, the list of approved projects is, in effect, a map of where demand and appeal are likely to grow first.
The plan was proposed by Mayor Jerry Demings in an October 8 memo and discussed at a special workshop session on October 19, following the TDT Citizen Advisory Task Force's final report presented on August 25. The sole dissenting vote came from District 5 Commissioner Kelly Martinez Semrad, who cited concerns over the long-term debt created by bond financing.
Where the money comes from and where it goes
The Tourist Development Tax (TDT) is a 6% levy on hotel stays and short-term rentals in Orange County. Under Florida law, that revenue can only fund tourism-related purposes, never general public services like schools or policing. That means this $786 million plan does not raise property taxes for anyone who already owns real estate in the region, including international investors.
Among the funded projects is the master plan for the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in Orlando, receiving $350 million plus financing costs through bonds issued by the city. The Eatonville Museum gets $60 million starting in fiscal year 2027; a parking structure for Florida Citrus Sports gets $52.5 million starting in 2028; UCF's soccer stadium gets $46 million starting in 2029; the Forest Lake Golf Club and Conference Campus in Ocoee gets $30 million starting in 2028; and Winter Garden's children's museum gets $25 million starting in 2027. Convention center expansion requests were not funded this round. the task force chose to wait until a $560 million renovation of the North-South Building is complete before considering further expansion.
What this signals for regional investors
Public investment in cultural and tourism infrastructure has historically tended to precede higher visitor traffic and, over time, stronger interest in real estate in the areas it serves. It is worth noting that the approved projects are not concentrated only in downtown Orlando: Ocoee and Winter Garden to the west, and the UCF area to the east, also received funding, a wider geographic spread than in previous funding rounds. That spread matters for investors tracking growth corridors beyond Orlando's traditional tourism core, which is also why we covered the $56 million investment in the I-Drive and Sand Lake corridor.
None of this replaces due diligence on the fundamentals of each specific submarket. Orange County's own fiscal stability is also being debated on another front, as we detailed in our analysis of Amendment 3 and the county's property tax rate, which could affect revenue available for the county's own budget in coming years.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Florida's Tourist Development Tax (TDT)?
The Tourist Development Tax is a 6% levy on hotel stays and short-term rentals of six months or less in Orange County. Under state law, this revenue can only fund tourism-related purposes such as convention centers, stadiums, museums and cultural attractions, never general public services.
Does this $786 million plan raise property taxes for current owners?
No. The TDT is paid by hotel guests and short-term rental guests, not by property owners or local residents. It does not change the millage rate applied to real estate.
Does investing near a TDT-funded project guarantee appreciation?
There is no guarantee of specific appreciation. Public investment in cultural and tourism infrastructure has historically tended to increase an area's appeal, but every purchase decision should weigh local market fundamentals, timing and the investor's own strategy.
