Resort-tax collections in Orange County fell slightly in April, as an early Easter holiday took its toll on the monthly statistics, which are an indirect measure of the local lodging industry.

The county collected $15.8 million from hotels and other short-term rental units, according to a report released Monday by the Orange County Comptroller's Office. That was down 0.5 percent from April 2007.

The year-over-year comparison for April was less-than-favorable because the popular Easter travel week fell in April last year but in March this year.

"When the 2008 Easter and spring-break period is compared to 2007, we are still experiencing some growth in the revenues this year," Orange County Comptroller Martha Haynie said.

Still, April's collections were 3.3 percent below what the county had projected.

Through the first seven months of the county's fiscal year, collections were running $5.4 million, or 5.4 percent, ahead of a year ago.

Gary Sain, president of the Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau, said Monday he thinks Orlando has done exceptionally well, given economic conditions.

"I think a lot of consumers are on the sidelines right now," Sain said. And if more people do decide to travel, Sain said he thinks Orlando will get a "disproportionate share."

April's resort taxes are not the only indication of a dip in the local lodging market: Smith Travel Research, a company that tracks hotels, recently reported that the average occupancy rate in Metro Orlando was 73.5 percent in April, down 2.1 percent from April 2007.

Source: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/busin...0,476096.story