Prediction: Florida tourism will increase

Despite exploding volcanoes, a poor economy and one of the worst environmental disasters in U.S. history -- this year has been a good year for the local tourism industry.

Tourism industry leaders have just announced that so far this year, demand is up 6 percent and they believe it will rise another 3 to 5 percent in 2011.  An increase will mean millions of more dollars for the Central Florida economy.

"It’s going to be a slow build but a positive build," said Orlando Convention and Visitors Bureau official Gary Sain.

The rise in demand comes after nearly two years of declining revenue and attendance numbers at local tourist businesses. Parks and hotels offered deep discounts to try and get visitors to Orlando. It's a strategy that seems to be working.

"The American consumer and the international consumer is looking for discounts, and I think that what we are going to see is a continuation of discounting for 2011," said Rich Maladecki of the Central Florida Hotel and Lodging Association.

A major challenge that tourist businesses will have to overcome is the oil spill. It’s an environmental disaster that has already done significant damage both perceived and real.

"It has had impacts on the entire state of Florida, to the extent that 10 percent of the folks that were surveyed said that because of the oil spill they are less likely to come to Florida.  So if you look at 10 percent of a $60 billion economy that's $6 billion," said Chris Thompson with VISIT Florida.

Thompson is in charge of marketing Florida to the world. He said his challenge for the rest of the year and possibly for years to come is to make sure that Florida's image is clean. Reminding tourists that the beaches are open and safe. It’s a slightly different challenge than local tourism leaders have in regards to the oil spill.

"It has not adversely affected us. The key for us is to make sure that our travelers both domestic and international know where Orlando is located in the state," said Sain.

Along with increased demand, tourism officials said they are also seeing an increase in the revenue associated with the tourist development tax. The tax, better known as the TDT, is a leading economic indicator. Predictions show that it will up for the year.