Headline Surfer photos / ABOVE: Seminole County, Florida's tourism hot spots are a major draw here in Central Florida with a variety of hotel & lodging accommodations, scenic lakes, rivers, parks, and hiking trails. And, of course, the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens, aka the Sanford Zoo. LEFT: The geography of Seminole County and fun things to do on vacation. BELOW: Seminole County Commissioner Amy Linville Lockhart is shown with other county officials announcing new tourism and marketing accreditation.
By HENRY FREDERICK / Headline Surfer
SANFORD, Fla. -- The Seminole County Office of Economic Development and Tourism recently earned accreditation for the first time from the globally recognized Destination Marketing Accreditation Program.
Seminole County is nestled in the outskirts of the metro Orlando tourism market, within a 30-minute drive downtown along the Interstate 4 corridor to Disney and the major attractions, but far enough away for families vacationers here to enjoy the scenic offerings - from boating to hiking or a day at the Sanford Zoo. And still, it's only a 45-minute drive east on I-4 to the beaches in Daytona and New Smyrna.
"This recognizes Seminole County's excellence in the destination marketing and management industry," Seminole County Commissioner Amy Lockhart said, adding, "This is the first time Seminole County has earned this distinctive accreditation, which will be in place for the next five years."
"This recognizes Seminole County's excellence in the destination marketing and management industry,"Seminole County Commissioner Amy Linville Lockhart said, adding, "This is the first time Seminole County has earned this distinctive accreditation, which will be in place for the next five years."
Seminole County successfully meets over 100 performance standards that span a variety of areas related to the management and marketing of a destination, including governance, finance, sales, research, development, and more, according to the accreditation notes.
In 2023, Seminole County generated 3% of the total visitor spending in Central Florida, which amounted to $58.5 billion, meaning Seminole County's share was around $1.755 billion, according to tourism revenue figures in the Sunshine State.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
-
Central Florida Tourism Spending:
In 2023, Central Florida's tourism industry generated a record $92.5 billion in economic impact, with visitor spending reaching $58.5 billion.
-
Seminole County's Share:
Of that total spending, 85% was in Orange County, 12% in Osceola County, and the remaining 3% in Seminole County.
-
Seminole County's Estimated Tourism Revenue:
This translates to approximately $1.755 billion (3% of $58.5 billion) in visitor spending within Seminole County.
-
Economic Impact:
Seminole County's tourism industry has a significant economic impact, with the Boombah Sports Complex alone generating over $251 million in total economic impact and 127,000 room nights for hotels since opening in 2016.
About the Byline Writer: