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ORLANDO-While individual hoteliers worry about fractionally falling occupancies in March to the 85% level, higher room rates this year are padding Orange County's 5% room tax collections that could generate a record revenue windfall this year, according to GlobeSt.com research. The hotel industry generally accepts a 65% occupancy as a break-even point in a hotel's operations.

Some area hoteliers' concerns on occupancies come as the county's February collections of $11.55 million are $38,400 below the February 2005 mark of $11.59 million. But county comptroller Martha O. Haynie is not worried.

"Cumulative collections through February are 5% above both budget projections and actual collections received during the same period last year," Haynie notes. "While, of course, we prefer a month-to-month increase, resort tax revenue remain strong overall."