A recent audit by Orange County’s Comptroller is alleging that Visit Orlando (Website), the region’s publicly funded tourism marketing agency, may have misused taxpayer dollars by spending tourist development tax (TDT) funds on expenses that were not aligned with their designated promotional purpose.
The audit found that over $3 million in public funds had been misclassified as private donations, which allowed the organization to avoid stricter county oversight. Additionally, Visit Orlando reportedly held $6.3 million in a reserve account without clear documentation of the funds’ origin.
Among the expenses questioned in the audit were a $12,210 car allowance provided to CEO Casandra Matej, $860,000 spent on three celebratory luncheons in 2023, and $20,600 for two skyboxes at a March Madness event, despite most attendees not being business clients.
The audit also flagged a $75,000 dinner held at a Michelin-rated restaurant in New York, The Musket Room (Website), which according to its website offers a “reliably indulgent experience.” The 40-person dinner was ostensibly to promote Orlando restaurant, Capa, though that restaurant’s actual involvement was found to be minimal. Moreover, Visit Orlando engaged in lobbying activities in Tallahassee without prior authorization from the Orange County Board of Commissioners, which is a violation of funding agreements.
In response to the findings, Visit Orlando stated that it has cooperated fully with the audit process from the beginning and emphasized its commitment to responsible financial practices. The organization also acknowledged that some contract terms had been misinterpreted and that it has already implemented many of the recommended changes.
Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings has since expressed his expectation that Visit Orlando will fully comply with the audit’s recommendations. State Senator Carlos Guillermo Smith criticized the expenditures, noting they reflected a poor return on investment for taxpayers and underscored the need for greater accountability in how public funds are managed.
