June 3, 2016

Orlando Gets in the Game

The NFL confirmed on Tuesday that beginning early next year Orlando will enter into a three-year relationship to host the league's Pro Bowl Week. Starting in 2017, the destination will welcome the NFL's brightest stars in a week-long series of festivities that will culminate with the Pro Bowl Game to be played at our own Camping World Stadium. Some of the events we can look forward to at Pro Bowl Week include the AFC and NFC practices, the USA Football National Conference, The Don Shula NFL High School Coach of the Year Award and a host of exciting activities which will include a 5K and a parade of Pro Bowl players in the Magic Kingdom.

This historic event is possible thanks to a collaborative effort on the part of several members of our tourism industry, our elected officials and quarterbacked by Florida Citrus Sports. Together, we are prepared to greet the thousands of visitors to Orlando, bringing with them millions of dollars in economic impact and exposure for our destination. In addition to the fans and players which will come for Pro Bowl Week, the NFL will also celebrate Play Football Month in Orlando as well. And we're excited that on August 25th the NFL will host week three of the preseason at Camping World Stadium when the Miami Dolphins take on the Atlanta Falcons - giving football enthusiasts a sneak peek at what to expect in the upcoming years here in Orlando.

The Pro Bowl announcement, made at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, highlights the league's new youth-focused agenda which teams perfectly with Orlando's appeal. In a recent conversation with the league, they expressed a desire to connect the NFL brand with youth and families - and there is no better backdrop to achieve that than right here in Orlando.

-George Aguel

Industry Employment Up 5%

Orlando Metropolitan Statistical Area employment in the Leisure & Hospitality Industry totaled 251,500 in April, a 5.4% increase versus April-2015. The industry's employment growth outpaced the 4.5% increase in total nonagricultural employment in the MSA. Leisure & Hospitality accounted for 21% of the region's nonagricultural employment in April, and 25% of the MSA's employment growth.

NFL "Drafts" Orlando to Host 2017 Pro Bowl, Plus New Week of Football-Themed Festivities

Celebrating football and families - Orlando received the ultimate endorsement as a premiere sporting destination with the NFL's announcement to host the 2017 Pro Bowl at Camping World Stadium plus a week of football-themed festivities throughout the destination. The events and new theme around Pro Bowl Week will spotlight all levels of football from youth, to high school, to the NFL's best. Shown here, Visit Orlando's board chair and their president/CEO celebrate with the NFL senior vice president of events and NFL director of youth football. The media announcement was held June 1 at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort. Here's a clip from the press conference.

Pictured left to right: Roman Oben, NFL director of youth football, Peter Kacheris, Visit Orlando board chair and managing director of Waldorf Astoria and Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek, Peter O'Reilly, NFL senior vice president of events, and George Aguel, Visit Orlando president & CEO.

Best City for Soccer Fans? Orlando!

WalletHub today released its report on 2016's Best Cities for Soccer Fans to go along with its 2016 COPA América Centenario By The Numbers infographic. To find the best places to be a soccer fan, WalletHub compared the 296 most populated U.S. cities with at least one college or professional soccer team across six divisions using 51 key metrics. The data set ranges from the minimum season ticket price for a game to stadium accessibility to the number of championship wins.

Chinese Media Explore Orlando Attractions

Visit Orlando recently partnered with Visit Florida in hosting a Chinese press trip for two top outlets: L'OFFICIEL HOMMES-CHINA (circulation 710,110) and Nanfang Daily (circ. 760,000). On their tour of Florida, the journalists experienced restaurants and attractions such as iFly Orlando and accommodations including Arnold Palmer's Bay Hill Club & Lodge. They also visited Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Orlando Resort.

#Taste USA - MegaFam 2016

Visit Orlando hosted a Brand USA/Air New Zealand FAM with 10 top-selling travel agents from Australia and New Zealand. The group was escorted by representatives from Brand USA, Air New Zealand, VISIT FLORIDA and Visit Orlando. The theme of the Megafam was #Taste USA to highlight the diverse culinary cuisine of our destination and showcase the varied culinary options Orlando has to offer. The group received VIP treatment at the Orlando theme parks, retail, dining and entertainment complex Pointe Orlando and enjoyed dinner at Dragonfly Robata Grill & Sushi as well as the farm-to-table restaurant LakeHouse.

What's New This Summer Highlighted in UK's Print and Online Daily Express

The Daily Express print and online editions (combined circulation 5.5 million) ran a what's new this summer article in their Saturday edition. Visit Orlando's public relations team worked with the reporter on the story by providing Orlando-specific deals to entice visitors to book their trip now.

Brand USA UK FAM Gets High Marks

Visit Orlando hosted a Brand USA UK FAM which resulted in great feedback from a participant: "It was really great to experience the Wild Florida airboats and wildlife park and I will most certainly be recommending this to our customers. The stay and visit to Universal Orlando Resort was also a highlight for us and whilst I have visited before, it is great to see how the resort is developing and expanding. This will continue to be an attraction that we will promote to our customers as well as other popular Orlando attractions."

UK Influencer and Her Son Visit Orlando to Experience Value Offerings

The "mum who knows money", who has a blog focusing on tips on how families can save money abroad, visited Orlando May 26 through 31 with her son. As a result, she will serve as a third party spokesperson for an Orlando UK BBC Radio tour taking place June 3. While in Orlando, she stayed at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa and Universal's Cabana Bay Beach Resort and experienced SeaWorld Orlando, Universal Orlando Resort, Walt Disney World Resort, Orlando International Premium Outlets and WonderWorks.

Généraltour, Belgium - Travel Agent Training

Généraltour, a Belgian tour operator, held a travel agent training event at Liege Airport May 24. Approximately 50 Belgian travel agents attended the evening event. Visit Orlando supplied a prize package, which included accommodations at Caribe Royale, attraction tickets and shopping vouchers.

Amateur Athletic Union Will Bring More than 75,000 Athletes, Coaches and Spectators to Orlando's Convention Center

More than 27,000 athletes from 2,300 teams, 40,000 spectators and 9,400 coaches will descend on Orlando for the upcoming AAU Girls' Junior National Volleyball Championship, June 18-26 held at Orange County Convention Center and ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.The AAU Girls' Junior National Volleyball Championship has more than doubled in the last five years, increasing from approximately 1,000 teams in 2011 to more than 2,300 teams in this year's event. Still growing, the economic impact to Central Florida is expected to be over $52 million per year with participants and their families visiting local hotels, shops, restaurants and other Central Florida businesses.

Brazil Website Covers Orlando

Viaje Na Viagem, a Brazilian travel website with more than 1,600,000 unique monthly visitors, published two articles highlighting the historic Church Street District in Downtown Orlando and the excitement of attending an Orlando Magic game at the Amway Center.

In the first article, popular bars, event spaces and restaurants (including Wahlburgers, Ceviche Tapas Bar & Restaurant, Hamburger Mary's, Church Street Tavern, Kres Chop House) were featured as part of the daytime and "nightlife power house" - Church Street!

In the second article , the journalist describes not only the amazing concerts, games and events held at the Amway Center, but also its unique architecture. Furthermore, the center's exciting amenities were featured, including Stuff's Magic Castle, Jernigan's and 'Ronas & 'Ritas. The coverage was a result of a media trip hosted by Visit Orlando.

Brazil's Top TV Program Airs Episode on Orlando

Brazil's O Mundo Segundo (1.3 million impressions) aired its full episode about Orlando last week. The 40-minute program featured Brazilians experiencing Orlando at various venues, including Disney Springs, Magic Kingdom, Orlando Balloon Rides, Gatorland, Mall at Millenia, Cirque du Soleil, Crayola Experience, I-Drive 360 and much more! Visit Orlando hosted the cast and crew of the show.

Orlando in the Air

Aire Magazine (circulation 120,000), the official in-flight magazine of Mexico's largest airline, Aeromexico - and its connection carrier Aeromexico Connect, published a one-page graphic illustrating some of Orlando's top entertainment and dining destinations, including Crayola Experience, Mango's Tropical Café, Orlando Eye and The Cowfish at Universal's CityWalk.

The bilingual magazine reaches an estimated 1,680,000 passengers monthly in addition to its 5,000 subscribers, including ticket offices and Salón Premier lounges. The magazine also covers topics like sports, food, fashion, technology and more.

Orlando Summer Getaways Highlighted in Major Florida Newspapers

The Miami Herald and Palm Beach Post (combined circulation 271,361) included an Orlando feature in a special weekend getaways section on May 29. The writer profiles what's new in Orlando this summer at the theme parks, as well as other offerings including arts and culture and downtown Orlando.

UK Travel Writer covers Orlando Food and Fun

On assignment for National Geographic Traveller Family and BBC Good Food, with a combined potential audience of 293,954, Sarah Barrell visited Orlando with her family May 28 - June 6. She explored food across the destination, theme parks and smaller attractions to cover Orlando as the ultimate family destination.

Partners included: The Alfond Inn, Wyndham Grand Orlando Resort Bonnet Creek, Walt Disney World Resort, I-Drive 360, Universal Orlando Resort, Seaworld's Aquatica, restaurants Cask & Larder, Pig Floyd's Urban Barbakoa, Tapa Toro and Morimoto Asia, and the Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour, East End Market, and Kennedy Space Center.

Visit Orlando Hosts Top Brazilian Tour Operator

Flytour a top tour operator in Brazil was hosted one morning at retail, dining and entertainment complex I-Drive 360. The 47 franchisee owners and senior leadership were able to experience Tapa Toro paella restaurant, Skeletons: Animals Unveiled, the Orlando Eye and Madame Tussauds, where Brazilian soccer star Neymar Jr. was just added as a new wax figure!

Social Media Team Posts Brewery Blog

This week, we tweeted about the booming local craft beer scene in Orlando. We'll have new videos and a blog that will make visitors and locals alike go bottoms-up for our local brews.

Next Week at the Convention Center

Benchmark Hospitality International announced the Opening of The Grove Resort & Spa

The first phase of The Grove Resort & Spa, located near Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, is set to open this fall. Part of Benchmark Hotels & Resorts, The Grove Resort will ultimately house 878 suites, 6,000 sq. ft. of indoor meeting space and extensive outdoor function space.

Orlando International Airport Celebrates America's Birthday in Grand Style

The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority and the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra are putting the finishing touches on this year's annual Liberty Weekend concert at Orlando International Airport (MCO) on Saturday, June 25, 2016 at 7:45 p.m. in the unique setting of the Hyatt Hotel Atrium at Orlando International Airport, the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra will present a soaring musical salute to Independence Day.

Award Winning District

Orlando's Audubon Park Garden District is a 2016 Great American Main Street Award winner.

Celebrity Chef to Open Restaurant in Disney Springs

Chef Rick Bayless, a six-time James Beard Foundation winner, is bringing Tablas Frontera, his table-service Mexican restaurant concept, to Disney Springs, the new dining, shopping and entertainment district at Walt Disney World Resort. Opening in Summer 2016, Tablas Frontera will showcase authentic Mexican specialties such as hand-crafted tortas, tacos, salads, fresh-made guacamole and classic Mexican braised meat entrees, all prepared from time-honored recipes with natural, locally sourced ingredients.

Orlando Continues to Lead the State in Job Creation

Florida Governor Rick Scott announced that Orlando continues to lead the state in job creation based off of the April employment data. This is the fourth consecutive month Orlando has led the state after leading the entire nation in job growth in 2015.

Theme Parks Welcomed More Visitors in 2015

According to a report from Themed Entertainment Association and the economics division of AECOM visitation was up in all the parks.

Last week Michael W. McCormick, executive director and COO of GBTA - the voice of the business travel industry - called on the TSA, Congress and the travel industry to work together in a collective effort to fix the current state of airport security, ensuring safe and efficient air travel. "Congress, the TSA, the travel industry and travelers themselves must come together as we embark on the busy summer travel season. It is well known that TSA is understaffed. But the agency must do a better job of utilizing the staff available and to better manage its resources." McCormick also called on frequent travelers to help the cause by enrolling in PreCheck.

Southwest Airlines was the top-rated brand in the industry. Overall, the survey looked at 20 different industries and 294 companies. Southwest placed 52 overall.

CDC Zika Information

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), its most current data available (June 1, 2016) indicate that zero (0) locally acquired cases have been reported in the United States, while 618 travel-associated cases have been reported. For the most current information about the Zika virus, visit the CDC's Zika page.