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McDs

On opening day (March 15), Visit Orlando shared a live video tour for our Facebook fans of the World's Largest McDonald's, located on Sand Lake Road. We received more than 32K views of the video tour with overall sentiment from fans expessing excitement that this new attraction has reopened for visitors. Check out #EpicMcDOrl to let us know what you think!

 
 
Visit Orlando Events
 

March 24
Business Referral Group

Cafe Tu Tu Tango
8625 International Drive
Cost: TBD
Click here to RSVP.

April 7
Member Orientation
Click here to register.

golf

April 18
Visit Orlando's 20th Annual Charity Golf Tournament
Grand Cypress Golf Club

1 North Jacaranda Street
To Benefit The Mustard Seed of Central Florida.
Tournament Sponsors

Member Presents
Members interested in targeting the meetings and convention market can present their products or services during monthly, 30-minute sessions with Destination Services. Click here to schedule a session.

 
 
Congratulations Members
 

Joanne Helbourg was awarded the "Greatest Impact Associate of the Year 2015" by Wyndham Vacation Rentals.

award

The following 12 Visit Orlando members are named in Cvent's 2016 Top 100 Meeting Hotels in the United States list: Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center; Hilton Orlando; Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek; Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista; Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress; Hyatt Regency Orlando; JW Marriott, Grande Lakes; Loews Royal Pacific Resort at Universal Orlando; Orlando World Center Marriott; Rosen Centre Hotel; Rosen Shingle Creek; Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin Resort.

 
 
Member-to-Member Offers
 

CF Photography is offering a free two-hour photography shoot. Includes image editing, direct link to private on-line viewing gallery, hi-resolution images for printing, and low-resolution images for on-line posting. Contact Chris Figueroa at 718-872-8741 to schedule. The terms and conditions apply.

Now through March 30, 2016, experience the nostalgia of driving a classic car or the thrill of driving a sports car for $25 off of any rental. Happy Dog Motors offers unique rental cars for a truly memorable visit. Take a day trip to the beach, explore some of the small towns outside of Orlando or just go cruising. Show this offer on your phone/tablet or print a copy to redeem on site.

golf

Holiday Inn Club Vacations® At Orange Lake Resort is a golfer's paradise, with four courses covering 54 distinct holes offering a variety of challenges. Through Aug. 31, 2016, Visit Orlando members receive a 50 percent off golf coupon for play at Legends or The Reserve when you purchase a golf lesson at The McCord Golf Academy. Reserve your golf lesson and tee time at 407-905-1955.

Orlando City Soccer Club would like to extend discounted group tickets to Visit Orlando members through Oct. 24, 2016. Click here to download information on group pricing discounts. Contact Christopher Benavides at cbenavides@orlandocitysc.com or call 407-480-4762 for more information.

Sammy Duvall

Sammy Duvall Watersports, located behind Disney's Contemporary Resort, is proud to offer Visit Orlando members 10 percent off all water activities (parasailing, personal watercrafts, wake boarding, water skiing and more) now through Dec. 31, 2016. To claim this offer, call 407-939-0754 or email reservations@sammyduvall.com, and mention the offer code "visitorlando10" when booking.

 
 
Industry Events
 

VISIT FLORIDA is currently accepting Committee Applications for its 2016-17 fiscal year (July 1, 2016 - June 30, 2017). To learn more about VISIT FLORIDA Committees, their value to the industry or to apply to serve on a committee, click here.

 
 
Community Events
 

Through March 21
Penelope, Princess of the Peacocks
Winter Park History Museum

Through March 26
Whistle in the Distance: The Trains of Winter Park
Winter Park History Museum

Through April
Friday Nights at the Morse
The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art

April 8
Florida Film Festival
Maitland

April 10
High Tea & Hats
Rosen Plaza Hotel

April 16
Cattle Barons Ball
Rosen Shingle Creek

Through April 17
Exhibition-Sight Unseen: Touchable Sculpture 
Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens

May 20
Boys & Girls Club "Celebrate the Children"
Orlando World Center Marriott

May 21
Runway to Hope Spring Fashion Soiree
Rosen Shingle Creek

May 21
24th Annual Chef's Gala
Epcot® World Showplace

Through June 5
Behind Closed Doors: The Collection
Revisited

Art & History Museums - Maitland, Maitland Historical Museum

June 2-4
Hispanic Chamber Business Conference & Expo Revisited
Orange County Convention Center - North Consourse

Through Aug. 31
Conversations: Selections From the Permanent Collection
Cornell Fine Arts Museum 

Focus Exhibition: Tiffany Studios' Daffodil Reading Lamp
The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art

Louis Comfort Tiffany's Laurelton Hall
The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art

Permanent Collection of Earl Cunningham Paintings
The Mennello Museum of American Art

Revival and Reform-Eclecticism in the 19th-Century Environment
The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art

Inside/Out: Steel, Paper, Bronze
The Mennello Museum of American Art

 
 
Connect With Visit Orlando
 
 

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Be sure to follow us at @VisitOrlando on Instagram and Twitter, fan us at facebook.com/VisitOrlando or watch us at YouTube.com/VisitOrlando for more insider information about the world's most famous destination!

To sign up for our e-newsletter, click here.

 

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President & CEO's Message
 

March 18, 2016

Orlando's Name Is Written in the Stars

George AguelOrlando's status as a destination of choice was once again confirmed when Forbes Travel Guide rated three Orlando hotels, two restaurants and three spas to its Global Star list. The honor is given to properties that meet the industry's most stringent hospitality standards. In total, more than 500 criteria are evaluated to determine a Star Rating, which means travelers can be assured these properties are among the finest in the world.

Returning to the Global Star list for 2016 are The Ritz-Carlton, Orlando, Grande Lakes and the Villas of Grand Cypress. These luxury properties are joined this year by first-time recipient Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort, all receiving four-star ratings. The Nine18 and Victoria & Albert's restaurants returned with four stars as did the Relâche Spa & Salon and The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Orlando, Grande Lakes. The Spa at Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort appeared for the first time as a four-star winner.

Founded in 1958 by Mobil, the Forbes Travel Guide is the oldest travel guide in the United States and a global benchmark for luxury travel. Many of our leisure visitors and business travelers alike rely on the guide when searching for the world's most-preferred properties.

The Forbes Travel Guide ratings are among the latest awards our destination has received so far this year from other recognizable organizations. As we look to the future, Orlando's popularity will continue to rise and these properties, along with many other highly rated hotels and venues, provide more and more visitors to our area with diverse options for accommodations, superior services and unforgettable attractions.

-George Aguel

 
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From the Research & Insights Desk of Visit Orlando
 

2016-17 Lodging Forecast Updated

After six consecutive years of demand growth that averaged 5 percent per year, the updated lodging forecast from STR suggests growth will shift from demand to average daily rate. Occupied room nights (aka demand) is forecasted to grow 2.0 percent in 2016 and 2.5 percent in 2017, according the latest forecast from STR. Although slower than growth in 2014 (5.6 percent) and 2015 (4.8 percent), the forecasted growth is in line with Orlando's long run average. Average daily rates are forecasted to increase 4.5 percent in 2016 and 4.4 percent in 2017.

 
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Visit Orlando Updates
 

Emeril

Partnership With Cooking Channel's
"Emeril's Florida" Recipe for Success

Visit Orlando has partnered with the hit show Emeril's Florida for four seasons now, resulting in six Orlando shows in addition to numerous additional segments featuring Orlando that were leveraged due to the close partnership with the producers and famed chef Emeril Lagasse himself. The newest of these leveraged segments titled "Cool Places From the Keys to the Panhandle" will air on the Cooking Channel this Sunday, March 20, at 2:30 p.m. The show will feature Prato, one of Winter Park's most loved restaurants and award winning Chef/Owner Brandon McGlamery (shown with Emeril, above). If you miss Sunday's show, you can catch the segment again Monday, March 21, at 9:30 a.m. or Thursday, March 24, at 10:30 a.m. Click here to view the teaser segment of the season debut on March 6 that featured Orlando-renowned chefs.

Kylie

Watch Exclusive With Kylie Jenner at
Sugar Factory Grand Opening

Visit Orlando's Content and Social Media Team had the opportunity for an exclusive interview with reality television and social media celeb Kylie Jenner for the grand opening celebration of the Sugar Factory at I-Drive 360. Ms. Jenner attracted nearly 3,000 fans to the International Drive complex last Friday, March 11. You can read more about the event on Visit Orlando's leisure blog.

American Pet

American Pet Products' Darmohraj on Why Orlando

Visit Orlando's Content and Social Media Team interviewed Andrew Darmohraj, executive vice president and chief operating officer of the American Pet Products Association, during this week's Global Pet Expo. Darmohraj says for the past eight years the show continues to grow, proving Orlando is a great place to showcase new products to pet retailers all over the world. Watch for our video to air soon, featuring details on what Darmohraj has to say on the benefits of Orlando as a meetings destination.

Legoland

LEGOLAND Florida Announces New Expansions

LEGOLAND Florida recently announced five new attractions that are opening this year and in 2017. Visit Orlando's Content and Social Media Team covered the news on Visit Orlando's leisure blog.

ITB

Destination Showcased at ITB Berlin

Visit Orlando was well represented at last week's ITB Berlin travel trade show, held March 9-13. This year, the world's largest tourism show reportedly set a record, with 120,000 trade visitors and 60,000 consumers attending the four-day event. Our team representatives held 34 meetings with key industry sales and marketing contacts, conducted two trade media interviews and participated with a booth in the Visit Florida Pavilion. We also participated at 10 industry events.

 

Denise

Visit Orlando Featured on NBC's "New York Live"

Visit Orlando was recently a featured guest on New York Live, a popular midday news show that airs to the New York metropolitan area on NBC. The segment showcased Orlando as a warm destination for New Yorkers ready to escape the cold for sun, fun and new attractions. View the segment here.

Galaxy China

Chinese Travel Trade Fam Result of
Galaxy Tours Partnership

Visit Orlando partnered with Galaxy Tours, one of China's largest U.S. wholesalers, to host a familiarization tour March 11-14. The group represented 22 of Galaxy's key clients from Beijing, Shanghai and Chengdu, and included representatives from leading online travel agencies, group tour operators, and MICE operators. Galaxy handles a large portion of the Chinese visitors to Florida, and continues to expand its Orlando product. The tour included visits to area theme parks and shopping venues.

Sweden

Travel Trade Team Conducts Scandinavia Tour

To fully take advantage of the time ahead of ITB Berlin, the Visit Orlando travel trade representatives participated in a tour of Scandinavia March 4-8 to promote the destination to consumers and travel trade. Stops included southern Sweden and Copenhagen, Denmark, to attend consumer events hosted by Swedish tour operator Swanson´s Travel in Osby, Sweden, and Danish tour operator FDM Travel in Copenhagen, Denmark. The tour wrapped up with a Brand USA event in Copenhagen, followed by the Discover America Denmark workshop. During the three days the team reached a total of 5,600 consumer and approximately 200 travel trade contacts.

Public Relations Team Attends U.K. Media Event

This week, the Visit Orlando Public Relations Team attended the annual TravMedia International Media Marketplace event - a networking event for U.K. travel journalists and PR professionals - to share and discuss the latest travel news. The Visit Orlando stand was immensely popular and the team had meetings with 14 top travel journalists, including the travel editors of the Independent, Evening Standard and the Daily Mirror, all of whom were excited to hear the developments for the destination in 2016.

Accredited DMO

Chinese Media Enjoy Comprehensive Orlando Visit

Visit Orlando recently partnered with Visit Florida in hosting a Chinese press trip for eight top journalists and social media stars, representing outlets including: Apex Manual, Wings of China, ICON, Holiday Mook, Senselife Magazine and Life Element for a total potential audience reach of more than 2 million. From March 7 - 11, the journalists experienced new Orlando attractions, shopping and dining, including properties such as Wyndham Grand Orlando Resort Bonnet Creek, Walt Disney World Resort, Mall at Millenia, I-Drive 360, Tapa Toro, Hard Rock Hotel, Universal Orlando Resort and Orlando International Premium Outlets.


 
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News About Orlando
 

OCCC

Next Week at the Convention Center

Group Meeting Start End Estimated Attendees Estimated Economic Impact
Mary Kay Inc. Annual Convention March 18 March 19 2,000 $3,940,000
Disney Destinations, LLC d.b.a. Disney Sports Attractions Disney Volleyball Showcase - USA Volleyball Event March 18 March 20 33,792 $66,570,240
Varsity Brands, LLC dba All-Star Challenge King of the Jungle March 19 March 20 8,000 $866,800
International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association International Convention & Trade Show (S) March 22 March 23 12,000 $23,640,000
Association Event Ventures, Inc. dba AE Ventures TecHomeX March 22 March 23 3,000 $5,910,000
 

SeaWorld Orcas

SeaWorld Partners With Humane Society, Ends Orca Breeding & Shows

SeaWorld announced Thursday that it is ending its orca breeding as well as the theatrical orca shows at all three parks. The shows are to be replaced by exhibits highlighting whales' natural behaviors. The company also announced it will partner with the Humane Society of the United States on a variety of initiatives focused on ocean health and the protection of fish and marine mammals. Photo: Courtesy SeaWorld of Florida.

Read More

Today Begins Latest I-4 Ultimate Closure

Beginning today, March 18, the westbound S.R. 408 entrance ramp from Orange Ave./Lucerne Circle is closed and has been temporarily relocated to Division Avenue, south of Anderson Street. This closure follows the March 3 announcement about the pending 14-month closure of Garland Avenue, from Colonial Drive to Marks Street.

Read More

Allegiant Kicks Off $1 Million Summer Getaway, New SFB Service

Allegiant and Sanford International Airport (SFB) recently announced two new seasonal routes and two new year-round routes to Orlando. Beginning this summer, seasonal flights from Wichita, Kansas, and El Paso, Texas, and year-round flights from Akron/Canton, Ohio, and Evansville, Indiana, Texas, will operate twice weekly and bring more than 91,000 additional visitors each year to the Orlando area. At the same time, Allegiant announced its $1 Million Summer Getaway campaign to give away $1 million in airfare through the end of summer.

Read More

New 360 Jurassic Park River Video Released

A new 360 video from Universal Orlando Resort gives you an immersive look at the river raft attraction.

Read More

 

Skull Island

Universal Orlando Reveals More on Skull Island

Universal Orlando released more details this week about their new attraction, Skull Island: Reign of Kong. This update includes information about the new ride vehicles, which will use a sophisticated positioning system instead of a traditional ride track to navigate the attraction.

Gallup: Orlando No. 1 Largest Metro Area for Jobs

Gallup's Job Creation Index Score ranks Orlando first among the nation's 50 largest metro areas with the highest rate of net job creation in 2015, according to employees' reports of hiring activity where they work. The article cites job growth in hospitality and leisure sector as reason why.

Read More

Area Sees Influx of Leisure Visitors From Middle East

A recent WFTV news story reports that about 16,000 Middle Easterner and Asian visitors are arriving in Orlando each month since Emirates Airlines added direct flights between the destination and Dubai last September.

Read More

Expedia's Viewfinder Reveals Top 5 Secrets at Disney

With so much to see and do at Walt Disney World, it can be easy to miss some of the magic that's hidden in plain sight.

Read More

Where to Save on Spring & Summer Travel

According to the recent Travelpulse article, a new study by HometoGo, a metasearch engine for vacation rentals, has revealed a few trends for the spring and summer when it comes to vacation rental prices in popular destinations. The study indicates costs for an Orlando theme park summer vacation to remain about the same as it was for spring.

Read More

 
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Industry News
 

sports travel

Sports Travel Springtime Fave

Thanks to MLB's Spring Training and NCAA's March Madness, spring is the season for sports travel, according to MMYG Global's 2015 Portrait of American Travelers.

Read More

USTA Reacts to Senate FAA Markup

U.S. Travel Association Executive Vice President for Public Affairs Jonathan Grella issued the following statement on Senate Commerce Committee markup of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization.

Read More

U.S. & Canada Pre-Clearance Program to Expand

Prime Minster Justin Trudeau and President Barack Obama have announced that Canada's pre-clearance program, which cuts wait times, will be expanding.

Read More

 

Air travel

On-Time Air Travel Arrivals Up

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation's recently released Air Travel Consumer Report, reporting carriers posted an on-time arrival rate of 81.3 percent in January 2016, up from both the 76.8 percent on-time rate in January 2015 and 77.8 percent mark in December 2015.

Read More

Face-Scanning an Airport Security Reality by 2020?

Air transportation IT provider SITA has developed biometric technology to simplify the airport security process. SITA Smart Path will scan a passenger's face, compare it against travel documents and create a secure token passengers can use for check-in, bag drops, border control and gate access.

Read More

CDC Zika Information

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), it's most current data (as of March 16, 2016) available at the time of this publishing indicate that zero (0) locally acquired cases have been reported in the United States, while 258 travel-associated cases have been reported. For the most current information about the Zika virus, visit the CDC's Zika page.

 
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Corporate Ambassadors
 
ARDA Bags BB&T British Airways Clear Channel Outdoor
Darden Fairwinds Credit Union Florida Distributing Company Florida Hospital The Florida Mall
Lufthansa The Mall at Millenia Orlando Economic Development Commission Orlando Health Orlando International Airport
Orlando Magic Orlando Premium Outlets OUC Smart City Tupperware Brands
 
United Service Companies
 
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