Orlando vs Washington

Washington leads Orlando by 1 points on the CIRA Index, 71 to 70. Orlando grades better on 3 measures, Washington on 5; the same 35 measures from public sources for both.

Scores by each organisation's criteria

• CIRA Index: Orlando 70, Washington 71
• OECD: Orlando 70, Washington 72
• UN Tourism: Orlando 75, Washington 70
• UNDRR: Orlando 66, Washington 69

Theme by theme

• Demand and seasonality: Orlando 83, Washington 90
• Economy and jobs: Orlando 81, Washington 92
• Climate and hazards: Orlando 45, Washington 60
• Water and environment: Orlando 75, Washington 56
• Community and housing: Orlando 50, Washington 75
• Access and continuity: Orlando 79, Washington 71

Where Orlando is stronger

• Unemployment rate: 4.7 % of the labour force (metro figure) (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Economy at a Glance: Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL, July 2026). At or below 5: grade 4/4.
• Wastewater safely treated: 100 % of domestic wastewater safely treated (City of Orlando Water Reclamation Division, 2024). At or above 95: grade 4/4.
• Dedicated tourism funding: A dedicated source plus a reserve or stabilisation fund for downturns (Orange County Comptroller, 2026). Grade 4/4.

Where Washington is stronger

• Largest foreign market: 11.7 % of international arrivals or nights (Destination DC, 2024 Annual Visitor Statistics (citing Tourism Economics), 2024). At or below 15: grade 4/4.
• Tropical nights: 54.4 nights a year with a minimum at or above 20°C (last 5 full years) (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, 2021–2025). Between 30 and 60: grade 2/4.
• Flood hazard: low (region figure) (World Bank GFDRR ThinkHazard, current (retrieved 2026)). Grade 3/4.
• Green space: 37 % of the urban area that is green or tree-covered (District Department of Transportation (DDOT) Urban Forestry Division / DOEE, Washington DC's Urban Tree Canopy Assessment, 2020). Between 30 and 40: grade 3/4.
• Short-let density: 2 short-term rental listings per 100 dwellings (Inside Airbnb & U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts, 2024). Between 1 and 2: grade 2/4.

Country context (World Economic Forum)

• United States: #2 of 110 in the WEF Travel & Tourism Development Index 2026
• United States: #2 of 110 in the WEF Travel & Tourism Development Index 2026

Orlando in full · Washington in full

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