Hotel-tax revenue

in Orange County rose 16 percent year-over-year for the month of June.

The hotel industry continues to be a monster business in Orlando as the countywide tourist tax on hotel rooms stays jumped 16 percent in June compared with the same month a year ago.

The 6 percent countywide tax generated about $25 million in June, according to a release Thursday from the Orange County Comptroller’s Office.

“June was a great month. However, just months ago, in April, there was absolutely no increase over last year. That shows how quickly TDT [Tourist Development Tax] numbers can change,” said Comptroller Phil Diamond in the release.

The tourist tax is collected on hotels, motels and short-term stays in Orange County.

The tax also may include home-sharing lodging options, such as Airbnb.

In June 2017, the tax collection hit about $21.5 million.

So far this year, the bed tax has generated nearly $217 million, up about 10 percent from this point in 2017.

The money is intended to be used to promote local tourism from bringing sporting events into town to expanding the Orange County Convention Center.

Orange County commissioners recently approved using $3 million of the tax proceeds for bids to lure the Special Olympics USA Summer Games and WrestleMania to Orlando.

“Hosting the games in Orlando not only builds excitement among the thousands of athletes and patrons here, but it comes with the potential to generate as much as $61 million in economic impact,” said Joe Dzaluk, who is the president and CEO of Orlando’s Special Olympics 2022 bid, in May when the county board’s vote was cast.