Seminole County tourism numbers plateau; consultants set next steps for proposed indoor sports complex

Seminole County officials told the board on Feb. 10 that tourism is facing a modest plateau and that a proposed indoor sports complex is the county’s primary response to diversify demand and grow midweek occupancy.

Guy Cunha, the county’s director of economic development and tourism, reviewed calendar‑2025 and fiscal‑2025 hotel data. He said occupancy for the calendar year averaged about 70%, ADR declined about 2.4% to roughly $103.97, and RevPAR declined roughly 2.7% to $72.74. Cunha cautioned that Smith Travel Research reports on a calendar year while county fiscal reporting follows the Oct.‑to‑Sept. fiscal year, and he noted market “bifurcation,” with upper‑upscale properties performing differently than midscale and economy products.

Danny Trossett, tourism division manager, highlighted sports tourism as the county’s largest tourism market. He reported recent performance at the Boombah Sports Complex (46 events, ~2,500 teams, ~99,000 visitors, ~14,000 room nights and an estimated $30 million economic impact for the most recent reporting period) and said county‑level venues have driven hundreds of millions in cumulative impact since opening. Trossett emphasized the influence of weather on outdoor fields and said recent turf investment on Hubs C and D will reduce rainouts and add capacity.

Multiple hotel and TID representatives spoke in support of an indoor complex, urging a prompt business development strategy because event organizers typically need multi‑year contracts and long lead times. Several hoteliers offered letters of support (including one from the Greater Orlando Sports Commission).

The county’s consultant team from Pizzuti Companies summarized a listening tour and described immediate deliverables: an owner’s project requirements document (OPR), a conceptual space program (good/better/best), a recommended budget with contingencies, illustrative diagrams and procurement materials to expedite hiring a design architect. Consultants said the primary program driver is the performance of internal spaces (court dimensions, flooring, officials’ facilities), but they also flagged site issues (parking, ingress/egress, EV charging) and potential community uses such as graduations and post‑storm sheltering capacity.

Commissioners pressed for concrete cost, size and funding options and suggested revenue tools (bonding concessions/parking, phased build, public‑private partnerships). Consultants said they will return with specific options at a March 10 retreat and staff will refine funding and procurement recommendations thereafter.