Dec. 8, 2016

Much to Celebrate

This in indeed a time for celebration within the Orlando tourism industry.
 
Just this week, our destination was named the #1 Best Place for New Year's Eve Celebrations by financial website Wallet Hub.
 
And next Tuesday we celebrate as a tourism community with you, our members, at our popular Annual Meeting and Luncheon at Orlando World Center Marriott. Reserve your space now to hear about the excitement we can expect as the U.S. Tennis Association opens its new Lake Nona campus next month which will bring events to the region, generate economic impact and generate visitation from sports fans, spectators and participants.

Plus, be the first to hear exciting news regarding a new marketing partnership for the destination that is sure to "score points" for our destination and much more.

I look forward to seeing you there!

-George Aguel

October Employment Growth

The Orlando MSA continued to experience robust employment growth in October with total nonagricultural employment growing by 47,400 jobs, 4 percent higher than October 2015. Orlando's Leisure and Hospitality Industry added 14,900 jobs from October 2015 to October 2016, a 6.1 percent increase. The industry's 257,300 jobs accounted for 21 percent of total nonagricultural employment in the Orlando MSA. The industry's 6.1 percent year-over-year increase outpaced the 4 percent increase in total MSA employment, and the industry accounted for nearly one of every 3 jobs (31 percent) added over the past 12 months.

George Aguel Named Among Elite CVB Executives

Facilities & Destinations readers have recognized Visit Orlando President and CEO George Aguel as among 2016's Elite Convention & Visitors Bureau Executives. The Elite Award recognizes those professionals who are considered among the country's most dynamic advocates of local tourism and convention industries.

Media Experience Orlando's Culinary Scene

Visit Orlando's Public Relations Team is hosting a dining press trip Dec. 9-12 for four target media including ForbesLife Magazine, The Local Palate, Travel Weekly and The Boston Globe. While here, the group will have a chance to experience Orlando's growing celebrity chef portfolio at Disney Springs and local favorites including restaurants in Mills 50 and Downtown Orlando. The trip will be capped off with a James Beard dinner at the Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort. Pictured: Morimoto Asia

Luxury Press Trip Produces Rich Results

As a result of a Visit Orlando luxury press trip in September, the December issue of Mexico's Viaheros magazine (circ. 540,000) featured Orlando's luxurious activities in a four-page article highlighting some of the destination's new facilities, such as Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Eddie V's Prime Seafood, Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney Resort, I-Drive 360 and Morimoto Asia. Orlando's well-known theme park attractions are also mentioned, including the Universal Orlando Resort's Harry Potter-themed lands and the upcoming opening of Walt Disney Resort's Pandora - The World of Avatar at in 2017. The lifestyle magazine is aimed at male readers with a high purchasing power.

Orlando Arts Magazine's Holiday Issue Available

The November/December issue of Orlando Arts Magazine, the official publication of United Arts of Central Florida, features a host of holiday-themed events and activities for the entire family. And don't miss the holiday gift guide to shopping Orlando's arts and cultural venues for one-of-a-kind gifts and the latest on Orlando Science Center's New KidsTown experience.

Visit Orlando produces and publishes the magazine as part of a decade-long community partnership with United Arts of Central Florida. Distributed to 19,000 bimonthly, the magazine currently enjoys a pass-on rate to 75,000, with 54 distribution partnerships. To subscribe or to become a distribution partner, call Visit Orlando at 407-354-5552 or contact United Arts of Central Florida. To find out more on advertising opportunities, call 407-363-5826.

Blog Promotes New Year's Eve Events

Visit Orlando's latest blog features an insider's list of things to do to ring in 2017, including events at our world-famous theme parks, attractions, and nightlife venues, as well as sporting events and street parties. No wonder WalletHub has named the destination as the Best Place for New Year's Eve Celebrations!

Members Join Pharma Sales Mission

Visit Orlando, along with members from Hello! Florida, Hilton Orlando, Hyatt Regency Orlando, JW Marriott Orlando Grande Lakes, Universal Orlando Resort, and Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort spread holiday cheer recently in New Jersey via sales calls to top pharmaceutical and pharma Intermediary Accounts. Throughout the week the group met with more than 60 accounts that have potential for Orlando including Bayer Pharmaceuticals, Daiichi Pharma, Novartis, Allergan, Celgene, Merck and a host of Maritz and American Express Travel buyers who source for Bristol Myers Squibb, GSK, Merck, Cardinal Health and more.

Pictured, clockwise from front left, are: Dine Rego, Jessica Honl, Susan Zeiri, Nancy Aira, Angel Faire, Lisa Zubia, Tim Lescoe, Bob Giaimo, Staci Sargis, Mary Ann Chupka, Lida Clark and Jen Jacobson.

I/ITSEC Celebrates 50th Anniversary

The Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference (I/ITSEC) held the first week of December at the Orange County Convention Center celebrated their 50th Anniversary during the 2016 conference. Visit Orlando's Sr. Vice President of Convention Sales & Services Fred Shea welcomed the group during the Speaker Reception (pictured). I/ITSEC is the world's largest modeling, simulation, and training conference.

Holiday Gifts They Won't Forget

Visit Orlando is an official seller of Orlando attractions tickets and can be a great resource for you to assist with experiences for visiting friends and relatives during this holiday - a one-stop-shop for everything that is a must-do in Orlando. From Orlando theme park ticket packages to dinner shows, we have it all and at a discount too. Save time and money and avoid standing in line - just click VisitOrlando.com - or visit in person our destination services locations at the Official Visitor Center on International Drive, the Mall at Millenia Concierge Desk or the Turnpike Service Plazas at Fort Drum and West Palm.

This Week at the Convention Center

Orlando Named Up-and-Coming Food City

Yahoo highlighted Orlando as a top up-and-coming foodie city based on our "growing number of highly rated restaurants led by talented chefs, craft breweries, and specialty food markets, as well as affordable indulgences like innovative street food, fine coffee, and fresh bakeries."

GOAA Applauds Open Skies Ruling on Norwegian

Greater connections between Orlando International Airport (MCO) and Europe are anticipated following the U.S. Department of Transportation's approval of a foreign air carrier permit for Norwegian Air Shuttle's Irish subsidiary, Norwegian Air International (NAI). The approval allows Norwegian Air to continue its weekly service from MCO to Norway and the United Kingdom with connecting points beyond.

New Star Wars Experiences Arriving Soon

Walt Disney World announced this week that new Star Wars experiences are coming to Disney's Hollywood Studios beginning mid-December. Some of the additions are inspired by "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" that opens in theaters worldwide on Dec. 16.

New App Translates Disney's Signs, Menus

Globili, a new free smartphone app and multilingual mobile communications service, is available to translate the signs and menus in Disney World's four theme parks, catering to more than 100 languages. 

Destination, Theme Parks Readers Choice Finalists

Orlando, Walt Disney World Resort, SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment, and Universal Orlando Resort are among the finalists in Travel Weekly's Readers Choice Awards 2016. Winners will be announced Dec. 15 during the awards gala at the Conrad New York.

U.S. Travel Association Releases Latest TTI

Domestic leisure travel will remain the primary driver of U.S. travel growth into the first months of 2017, according to the U.S. Travel Association's latest Travel Trends Index (TTI).

WalletHub: Orlando #1 for New Year's Eve

WalletHub's number crunchers compared the 100 biggest cities based on 20 key indicators of an epic New Year's Eve and ranked Orlando No. 1 in its Best Places for New Year's Eve Celebrations.

CDC Zika Information

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), its most current data available (Dec. 7, 2016) indicate that 185 locally acquired cases have been reported in the United States, while 4,389 travel-associated cases have been reported. For the most current information about the Zika virus, visit the CDC's Zika page.