"The market is holding up generally well in spite of negative domestic and international economic news," Robin L. Webb, a hospitality industry consultant for 30 years and vice president/managing broker, Arvida Realty Services Commercial Division, Winter Park, FL, tells GlobeSt.com.

While September collections of the 5% tax on rooms fell 32% for September in Orange County and 22% in neighboring Osceola County, the total collections for fiscal 2001 ended Sept. 30 was $104.8 million.

That's the second highest revenue total in the 23 years since the tariff began, according to Orange County comptroller Martha Haynie. Last year's record collections totaled $108.2 million, $3.4 million more than this year. The collections never hit the $100 million mark until last year.