Orange County’s tourism industry is breaking records for the first time since the start of the pandemic.

Orange County Comptroller Phil Diamond said this past March, Tourist Development Tax collection was $7 million higher than it was in 2019, and at $38,568,500, it was a 118.2% increase compared to the same month last year.

Cafe Tu Tu Tango Managing Partner Dave Nicholas said traffic patterns and volumes at their location on International Drive are increasing. They are tracking a similar sales increase at their restaurant next door as well.

“I’ve had to bring managers in from our other restaurants up in Virginia to help down here with the volume," he said. "It’s been a severe increase and a welcome increase, thank God.”

According to to the report released Thursday, Orlando’s March hotel occupancy went up to 82.5%.