Sept. 16, 2016

Kick Off to Fall

As we headed into Labor Day, those of us in the tourism industry had every reason to be optimistic. Not only was airport passenger traffic and convention center attendance on the rise, but tourist tax collections this summer were also nearly two percent higher than last year, putting the destination on pace for record collections. While it's true that occupancy levels have softened when compared to 2015's banner performance, they remain higher than every other year since 1998 and average daily rates are at an all-time peak as well.
 
Coming on the heels of this good news we entered the final weekend of summer travel and Labor Day gave us much to be excited about. Not only did occupancy climb 5.8 percent over last year, but demand for room nights also rose by 7.3 percent. Plus, with Orlando playing host to the sellout FSU/Ole Miss showdown, the destination extended the impact of the weekend with the additional demand for Monday night stays, resulting in a 16.4 percent rise in ADR.
 
All in all, it was a great way to cap off our summer and usher in the high-paced fall and holiday seasons. All indicators are pointing to a healthy end to 2016 with Halloween, the winter holidays and New Year's just around the corner. As temperatures drop, enthusiasm is on the rise for Orlando's new attractions, extensive convention line up and exciting winter-themed events - all of them reasons for us to anticipate another positive fourth quarter.

-George Aguel

Industry Employment Continues to Lead the Region

Orlando's Leisure and Hospitality Industry added 13,600 jobs from August 2015 to August 2016, a 5.7 percent  increase. The industry's 253,900 jobs accounted for 21 percent of total nonagricultural employment in the Orlando MSA. Growth in industry employment outpaced the 4.4 percent year-over-year increase in total employment across the Orlando MSA, and the industry accounted for 26 percent of all jobs added over the past 12 months.

Visit Orlando Launches Fall Brazilian Campaign

Visit Orlando recently launched its fall Brazilian campaign to coincide with the time of year when Brazilians begin planning their trips to Orlando, the No. 1 U.S. destination for the South American country. The national integrated media campaign features TV, print, online and social media elements driving to dedicated pages on the VisitOrlando.com Brazil landing page. In addition, more than 120,000 Brazilians will receive a monthly eNewsletter with news about the destination. Campaign partners include SeaWorld Orlando, Universal Orlando Resort and Walt Disney World Resort.

Foodie Events, Social Media Shares Highlight MDM

More than 15 local foodies enjoyed Visit Orlando's Magical Dining Month event on Sept. 8 at The Rusty Spoon. This special event was exclusively offered to the Orlando Foodie Forum by TastyChomps!, a private Orlando Facebook forum for food lovers, who in turn share information about the value of participating in the program.

In addition to MDM events, food fans who are enjoying the delicious offerings from this year's participating restaurants are using #MagicalDining to share their favorite dining moments from all over Orlando, some of which are featured in Visit Orlando's "Eat, Drink and Share Your #Magical Dining Month Moments" blog.

Pictured: The Rusty Spoon's Chef Kathleen Blake explains Visit Orlando's Magical Dining Month menu.

Orlando's Dining Scene Featured in U.K. Magazine

Sainbury's Magazine (circ. 189,578), a popular glossy monthly distributed in the United Kingdom's second-largest supermarket, published an Orlando dining feature in the September issue as a result of a Visit Orlando-hosted press trip. The article highlights Orlando's "gastronomical delights," describing the city as "a hotbed of artisanal food producers and sophisticated restaurants," calling out areas such as the Mills 50 District, Disney Springs and Winter Park.

Mexican Pub Cosas Spotlights Destination

As a result of a press trip hosted by Visit Orlando, Mexican monthly magazine Cosas, (print circulation of 350,000 and 200,000 online) featured an article in the September issue that included coverage of Coca-Cola Orlando Eye, Madame Tussauds Orlando, SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium and Walt Disney World Resort. The article also mentioned Winter Park venues BOCA - Kitchen, Bar & Market, and The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art.

Willy Scharnow Foundation Participates in Fam

Visit Orlando hosted a Willy Scharnow Foundation familiarization tour Sept. 8-11. The group - which included 11 agents - stayed at The Alfond Inn (pictured) in Winter Park and Sheraton Vistana Resort Villas. During their stay in Orlando, the agents enjoyed visits to Universal Orlando Resort and Walt Disney World Resort, shopped at Orlando Vineland Premium Outlets and dined at BOCA - Kitchen, Bar & Marke, B Resort & Spa and joined Mickey Mouse at Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort. The Willy Scharnow Foundation is an arm of DRV (German Travel Agents Association) and is responsible for the education and training of travel agents.

Virgin Holidays' "Seize the Holiday" Debuts in U.K.

Visit Orlando is partnering with SeaWorld Orlando, Universal Orlando Resort and Walt Disney World Resort to promote Orlando as the perfect family destination in a two-week U.K. campaign with Virgin Holidays. Virgin Holidays' new branding, "Seize the Holiday," is designed to inspire its audience to take action and make their dream holidays a reality. High-impact media will consist of digital escalator panels in London and Glasgow as well as a radio promotion on the Heart Network.

HelmsBriscoe Team Joins "Race for the Cure"

Visit Orlando's Ken Barnett joined HelmsBriscoe's team to run in the 26th Annual Susan G. Komen "Race for the Cure" 5K on Saturday, Sept. 10, to help raise funds to find a cure for breast cancer. The race was held in New York City's Central Park. More than 100 associates, suppliers and clients joined the HelmsBriscoe team to help raise nearly $23,000, making it one of the top 10 fundraisers for the event.

Pictured: The HelmsBriscoe team during last weekend's Susan G. Komen "Race for the Cure".

NAJ Group Brings Trend Salon to Orlando

North American Journeys (NAJ Group) partnered with Visit Orlando to host a Trend Salon, an industry roundtable of local receptive tour operators and Visit Orlando members, on Sept. 13. In addition to discussing topical issues and trends affecting the global travel industry, the event addressed the evolution of travel distribution channels. NAJ Group, a producer of travel industry events for U.S. suppliers and receptive tour operators, will expand on the topics during its upcoming annual RTO Summit taking place in Orlando at B Resort & Spa Nov. 15-16.

Pictured, from left, are: Gisa Hanson, AlliedTPro; Karen Kurth, Disney Destinations; Marcelo Pigatto, Personal RGE Tours; Lori Tedder, Meeting Point North America; and Tania McCall, Rosen Hotels.

Kellen Hosts Visit Orlando Team

Visit Orlando met with key decision makers representing 220 meetings on Sept. 7 at the Kellen regional offices in Atlanta, Georgia. Kellen is a global management and communications company serving more than 100 trade associations, professional societies and charitable organizations representing more than 10,000 companies and 100,000 professionals worldwide.

Pictured, from left, are: Susan Carter, Kellen; Lauran Benatti, Visit Orlando; Sandy Stevens, Kellen; Tonya Brown, Kellen; Roxana Dondera, Kellen; Kelly Kizer, Kellen; Martin Bay, Kellen; and Michael Townes, Visit Orlando.

Sales Mission Tees Up Topgolf Networking Event

Visit Orlando hosted a sales mission at Topgolf in Atlanta, Georgia, last week. Sixteen Visit Orlando members participated in the event, which featured networking with more than 40 meeting planners representing corporate, association, specialty and various intermediaries.

Pictured, from left: Back Row - Robert Montgomery, Hilton Orlando Resort; Brenda Pfeifer, Renaissance Orlando Airport Hotel; Karen Adams, Margaritaville; Renee Gilliland, Doubletree by Hilton at the Entrance to Universal Orlando; Jenny Castano, Melia Orlando Suite Hotel at Celebration; Frederic Larue, Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista; Ronda Schoeneberg, Visit Orlando; Paul Williams, Westgate Resorts. Front Row - Kim Wetzel, Caribe Royale Orlando; Ray Skrotsky, Wyndham Orlando Resort International Drive; Carmen Otero, Crowne Plaza Orlando Universal; Lauran Benatti, Visit Orlando; Jamie Langford, Hyatt Regency Orlando; Shellie Spear, Orange County Convention Center; Liz McDonnell, Orlando World Center Marriott; Michael Townes, Visit Orlando.

This Week at the Convention Center

Travel + Leisure on Epcot's Fall Food & Wine Fest

According to a recent Travel + Leisure article on the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, which kicked off Sept. 14: "One of the most appealing aspects of Epcot is how it gives visitors the ability to literally eat and drink their way around the world. This task gets easier in the fall when the park hosts an annual food and wine festival."

New Garden Spaces Open at Bok Tower Gardens

This Saturday, the largest expansion in 87 years of history, Bok Tower Gardens celebrates the opening of nearly eight acres of new garden spaces with Hammock Hollow Children's Garden (pictured), the Wild Garden, Outdoor Kitchen, Edible Garden and Alexander Discovery Center.

Octonauts Coming to SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium

Characters from the "The Octonauts," an animated children's TV show on Disney Jr., will visit SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium Fridays through Sundays, Sept.16 to Oct. 30. Young guests can take photos with the characters and become part of the Octonauts crew by participating in the Octonauts Training Academy. Image Courtesy of SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium

OCCC's Valencia Ballroom Remodel Complete

The renovation and remodel of the Valencia Ballroom is complete. New electrical, flooring and ceilings have been installed. The 62,182-square-foot ballroom is open and ready for business.

Promoting Orlando's Fall & Holiday Events

Sixteen weeks of fall and holiday events in Orlando are highlighted in Visit Orlando's recent "Fall Fun and Holiday Cheer" blog, including Halloween celebrations, food and wine feasts and holidays at Orlando's Theme Parks.

Pictured: Universal Orlando Resort's Macy's Holiday Parade

Discovery Cove Celebrates Birth of Baby Dolphins

Discovery Cove announced last week the birth of five baby bottlenose dolphins born within one month of each other. Guests may catch a glimpse of the new babies in the coming weeks, but the park has not yet announced when they will be seen on a regular basis. Until then, the fans can follow their progress on Discovery Cove's Facebook and Instagram pages.

Coca-Cola Polar Bear Coming to Disney Springs

Later this week, a new interactive meet and greet experience will debut at the Coca-Cola Store, located in Town Center, the newest Disney Springs neighborhood.

MCO Passengers Enjoying Shorter Waits

Passengers at Orlando International Airport (MCO) have enjoyed shorter wait times in recent months, with 53% fewer passengers spending more than 15 minutes in line.

Majority of Biz Travelers Use Hotel Apps

North American business travelers commonly use hotel apps, according to a new study recently released by the Global Business Travel Association, in partnership with Best Western Hotels & Resorts.

What's New In Social Media: September 2016

MMYG Global has released its What's New in Social Media: September 2016 edition, a roundup of its weekly This Week in Social Media e-newsletter that highlights changes in social media.

More Millennials Using Travel Agents

Millennials with families are using travel agents to help with their family vacations. Reasons include that they're seeking special experiences that they can't easily arrange on their own.

CDC Zika Information

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), its most current data available (Sept. 14, 2016) indicate that 43 locally acquired cases have been reported in the United States, while 3,132 travel-associated cases have been reported. For the most current information about the Zika virus, visit the CDC's Zika page.