Experience Kissimmee: tourism creates $10 billion local annual Osceola impact,

  • Tourism marketing arm Experience Kissimmee presented return Tourist Development Tax funds, totaling over $1.1 million, to seven supported Osceola County organizations. PHOTO/EXPERIENCE KISSIMMEE
    Tourism marketing arm Experience Kissimmee presented return Tourist Development Tax funds, totaling over $1.1 million, to seven supported Osceola County organizations. PHOTO/EXPERIENCE KISSIMMEE

What is the annual economic impact of tourism in Osceola County?

Eleven figures. That’s a lot of numbers.

Per a report released Friday by Experience Kissimmee, the county’s tourism marketing arm, its research concluded that the tourism industry generated a $10 billion economic impact between 2022 and 2023. Osceola County saw approximately 10 million overnight visitors and nearly $6.5 billion in visitor spending, which led to a record-breaking year of Tourism Development Tax (TDT) collections of $81 million, and total state and local tax collections of $640 million.

Those numbers are evidence of how the tourism industry plays an important role in shaping the daily lives of Osceola County residents, Experience Kissimmee CEO D.T. Minich said.

"A visit to Kissimmee offers more than just endless good weather and incredible visitor experiences. It also translates into tangible benefits for our residents,” said DT Minich, President and CEO of Experience Kissimmee. “For every person we welcome to Kissimmee, it means job opportunities, tax relief, competitive wages and an improved community for Osceola County residents.” 

TDT revenue funds things like community events, sporting and arts facilities and public school initiatives, saving an average of $4,700 per household in taxes, Experience Kissimmee reported. 

And, to share in the wealth, Experience Kissimmee presented return funds, totaling over $1.1 million, to seven supported organizations: The Osceola and St. Cloud Chambers of Commerce, Kissimmee Gateway Airport, the Kissimmee Valley Livestock Show, Osceola Center for the Arts, Silver Spurs Riding Club and the Osceola Historical Society and Welcome Center.