The 32% September drop mirrored the numbers forecast earlier by Haynie. She called for a dip of 30% to 35%. The county still has $140 million in reserves.

Tax collection monies are used largely by the county to fund convention center expansions and promote Central Florida's $1 billion-plus tourism industry. That's why elected officials in neighboring Osceola County are concerned over their collection numbers.

Osceola collected a total $23 million for fiscal 2001, down 6.6% from 2000. In September, the last month of the fiscal period, the county garnered $1.23 million, 22% off from last year's $1.58 million. Osceola has $12 million in reserves.

But Osceola commissioners are wondering if that amount will still leverage construction financing needed for a $71 million agriculture center, a $44 million convention center and $18 million in renovations to Osceola County Stadium where the Houston Astros play their spring training games.

Tourist collections in Orange County this year have been down for seven consecutive months; in Osceola, for nine months.

Average daily room rates are $77.19, down from an average $86.44 at this time last year, according to Smith Travel Research of Hendersonville, TN, an industry tracker. Occupancy is averaging 68%, down from an average 82% last year.

"Clearly, corporate America is tightening its belt," Arvida's Webb tells GlobeSt.com. "However, business travel in the Central Florida market is a relatively small percentage of hotel occupancy."

A growing trend among vacationers, however, is the use of lower-priced hotels.

"The five-star hotel guest is probably staying in a four-star hotel and the four-star guest is probably leaning more to the limited service and extended-stay brands, particularly when he or she is spending personal funds," Webb says.