December 1, 2023

Hello,

This week, over 100 Visit Orlando team members volunteered with the Foundation for Florida Environmental Protection to help clean up neighborhoods around Orange County as part of Giving Tuesday, a worldwide movement celebrated the Tuesday after Thanksgiving.

Team members collected trash and debris at the West Orange Neighborhood Center for Families, Lake Underhill Park, La Costa Wetlands, Lake Ivanhoe Park and Lake Lorna Doone Park. Many thanks to Florida Senator Linda Stewart and City of Orlando Commissioner Patty Sheehan for showing up and supporting our team.

Each year, we prioritize making a positive impact in various ways. We volunteer at local organizations like Give Kids The World Village and Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida, organize rummage sales to collect clothing and funds and engage in all-team service activities, such as painting apartment homes in Orlando.

Participating in Giving Tuesday allows our team to collectively make a real difference in our neighborhoods. It reflects our dedication to our destination and community and embodies one of our core values, "We Serve" and the idea that at Visit Orlando, service is our superpower.

DestinationNEXT Survey Closes Today

Visit Orlando is embarking on an important assessment of our destination, and we need your help! The assessment is a benchmark survey of key tourism, business, education and government stakeholders impacted by tourism. As a key leader and stakeholder in our visitor economy, we need your feedback.  Questions represent a broad set of topics addressing various elements of our community, including areas that may seem beyond the scope of Visit Orlando's work but are relevant to visitors' experiences. The survey should take approximately 20 minutes to complete. To access the survey, please CLICK HERE. Today is the deadline to complete the survey.

Highlighting Orlando's Michelin Dining on ITV: A Taste of Florida

Visit Orlando partnered with VISIT FLORIDA on a new UK Food and Travel series called "A Taste of Florida." Hosted by TV presenter and farmer Jimmy Doherty, the show explores Florida's rich food history and culinary delights. Representing Orlando, Mike Collantes, chef and owner of Michelin one-star restaurant Soseki shares his story in an upcoming episode. The series, first announced at the World Travel Market in London, will air in the UK on ITV, a public broadcast television network, in February 2024. Stay tuned for more information.

Key Tourism Indicators

Around the Destination

I-Drive Chamber Luncheon: Visit Orlando team members recently attended the International Drive Resort Area Chamber of Commerce's 36th Anniversary Celebration. The event highlighted Phase One of the Orange County Convention Center's master plan and provided transportation and area development updates. Congratulations to Mayor Jerry L. Demings for earning the Visionary Leadership Award, and to Orange County Commissioners Christine Moore (District 2), Mayra Uribe (District 3), Maribel Gomez Cordero (District 4) and Mike Scott (District 6) for receiving Distinguished Leadership Awards.

UCF President's Suite: Thank you to UCF President Alexander N. Cartwright and First Lady Melinda K. Cartwright for inviting Visit Orlando to UCF Knights' game against Houston. In the second quarter of the game, UCF recognized the value of the tourism industry, including how it fuels the Central Florida's economy, supports our community and provides gainful employment opportunities for Rosen College of Hospitality Management graduates. Chair at Dr. Phillips Charities, Terry Prather, Visit Orlando's board chair, represented Visit Orlando.

Inaugural Flight Service: Visit Orlando and our Orlando International Airport (MCO) partners welcomed Porter Airlines' inaugural flight from Toronto, Canada. Porter Airlines now offers daily nonstop service to and from Toronto and Ottawa, Canada. Our team was able to include Orlando messaging within Porter's inaugural press release, with coverage running across the Canadian wire.

Visit Orlando Engaged

Dr. Phillips Rotary Club Presentation: Visit Orlando had the pleasure of speaking at the Dr. Phillips Rotary Club's weekly meeting. We shared insights about Visit Orlando and provided updates on Central Florida's newest developments and attractions. The group was eager to hear about all Visit Orlando does to promote the destination and support our community. The Club also appointed me as one of their official club ambassadors.

I/ITSEC 2023 Welcome Reception: The National Training & Simulation Association hosted I/ITSEC 2023, the world's largest modeling, simulation and training event at the Orange County Convention Center. The event attracted 17,500 attendees, generating a $44.6 million economic impact for our community. Visit Orlando team members shared updates highlighting Orlando's latest developments during the conference welcome reception.

In the News

MSN: Road trips & recipes with Kathy Witt: Yes, Orlando is a haven for relaxed pre-holiday family fun

The Sun: Inside Orlando's first beach resort opening next year - with 10,000 bedroom complex and massive water lagoon

Travelweek: Visit Orlando unveils online training platform in French, for key Quebec market

Pegasus (UCF): Center of attraction: UCF's Rosen College and Orlando tourism