November 3, 2023

Hello,

Visit Orlando is committed to showcasing the full scope of our "Unbelievably Real" destination from our world-class theme parks, award-winning dining scene, vibrant arts & culture community, thrilling sports and events, eco-tourism and our buzzing neighborhoods and districts.

We've recently launched several new initiatives to ensure travelers from around the world and meeting planners know about the experiences available in our unique neighborhoods, including:

• Buzzfeed Survey: A new collaboration with BuzzFeed raises the awareness of our unique communities through an online survey. Customized based on responses, this online survey suggests an Orlando neighborhood to explore. Through multiple-choice questions, it asks for the ideal morning, lunch and dinner activities and meals, and preferred vibe, ranging from quaint and futuristic to artistic or lively. It serves as a fun resource for residents and travelers looking to add to their list of upcoming plans. Take the survey and share it with your network to discover the perfect neighborhood for your next Orlando adventure. 
   
• 360 Virtual Tours: Virtual Tours have been an important part of our experiential storytelling in both the leisure and meetings sectors. Last month, we started production to expand our virtual tours to provide more neighborhood tours of areas like Mills 50, Parramore, Milk District, Eatonville, Ivanhoe Village and several others. They will launch in 2024 as an essential tool to showcase the breadth and diversity of Orange County. 
   
• Film Shoots & Media Tours: We've continued to prioritize incorporating unique neighborhood experiences in film shoots and press trips. This week, Canada's "The Morning Show" aired a segment featuring Lake Nona, Winter Garden and downtown Orlando as part of a series filmed in October and airing through November to drive Canadian visitation this winter. In addition, our team has been including Orlando's neighborhoods throughout media visit itineraries. As a result, Today's Parent highlighted Winter Garden's Plant Street Market and the Tibet Butler Preserve, along with many other locations in the story "How to Plan an Epic Family Trip to Orlando."
   
• Prevue Incentive Webinar: We're creating ongoing opportunities to educate meeting planners on all aspects of the destination. On Nov. 16, Visit Orlando will host a webinar in partnership with Prevue Meetings & Incentives geared towards incentive planners and attendees. The session will highlight experiences found in Orlando's neighborhoods and explore a list of incentive-quality hotels, Michelin-starred dining, golf and spa venues, shopping and more.

These are just a few examples that complement our ongoing efforts on social media, website content and advertising campaigns that share with audiences worldwide the abundance of hidden gems in Orlando's unique neighborhoods and encourage more visitors to explore these areas.

First Sweepstakes in Latin America

Visit Orlando launched its first sweepstakes in Mexico, in partnership with Warner Bros Discovery, from Oct. 24 to Nov. 29, as part of the ongoing Mexico campaign. The sweepstakes will be promoted through custom videos produced with Mexican influencer Ana Emilia and her mother, Angelica, on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube. The winner will receive a trip for four to Orlando, flights with Volaris and a four-night complimentary stay at Rosen Shingle Creek. Additionally, the trip includes a car rental, admission to SeaWorld Orlando and Aquatica Orlando, attractions at ICON Park and a certificate for The Mall at Millenia. Participants are encouraged to register by visiting a landing page to answer five questions about Orlando.

Register Today! Visit Orlando's Year End Celebration Luncheon

Join us for Visit Orlando's Year End Celebration Luncheon on Dec. 8 at the Hilton Orlando! We will celebrate our destination's successes and announce the Visit Orlando Magical Dining's donation to this year's charity beneficiary, The Lifeboat Project. The luncheon's keynote speaker, Will Guidara, a renowned restaurateur, will share an inspirational message on what he calls Unreasonable Hospitality, the power behind giving people more than they expect. Don't miss this opportunity to network with industry professionals, business leaders and community members. To reserve corporate tables, contact Visit Orlando's member recruitment manager, Kelly Kinney. Secure your spot today!

Hotel Metrics

Metro Orlando occupancy for the week ending Oct. 28 was 70.8%, down from last week's 74.7% and down 7.2% from the same week last year. The Average Daily Rate for the week was $188.79, down from last week's $205.57 and down 2% from the same week last year.

Across the Industry

No. 1 in the U.S.: UCF's Rosen College of Hospitality Management has again been recognized as the top hospitality program in the United States for the fourth consecutive year, based on its exceptional academic programs and research. Also, UCF retained its position among the world's top five programs. These announcements come from ShanghaiRanking, an organization devoted to higher education research and consultation. Congratulations to UCF and the Rosen College of Hospitality Management on this national and international recognition. Go Knights! Read more about this announcement here.

Around the Destination

Groundbreaking Celebration: Congratulations to Wendover Housing Partners and Universal Destinations & Experiences for their efforts in advancing affordable housing in Central Florida. Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings joined CEO and Founder of Wendover Housing Partners Jonathan L. Wolf and EVP & Chief Administrative Officer of Universal Destinations & Experiences John Sprouls and other industry leaders to participate in the groundbreaking event for the new affordable apartment community, Catchlight Crossings. This marks the beginning of the $350 million, 1,000-unit property, situated in the future location of Universal Orlando Resort's Epic Universe. To discover more about this project and its potential impact on Orlando's economy and hospitality workforce, click here.

Visit Orlando Engaged!

Mid-Atlantic Sales Mission: Visit Orlando brought Florida sunshine to the Virginia Horse Country during the 101st International Gold Cup. Our team, along with more than 20 Visit Orlando members, had the opportunity to network with over 125 clients, sharing the latest news from our destination and reasons to book a future meeting or event in Orlando.

Canadian Media Mission & Discover America Day: Visit Orlando participated in VISIT FLORIDA's media mission in Vancouver and Toronto to showcase Orlando and pitch new story ideas to top-tier travel journalists and content creators. We engaged with over 50 media representatives from top publications like Toronto Sun, Dreamscapes Magazine, Daily Hive and Travel Industry Today. Additionally, Visit Orlando was part of Discover America Day, where we met with 10 key Canadian media and content creators, sharing the latest Orlando attractions, beyond-the-park experiences and information on Orlando's affordability and accessibility for Canadian travelers.

Hispanic Economic Impact Summit: Visit Orlando attended the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metro Orlando's Hispanic Economic Impact Summit at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. The event focused on highlighting the significant influence of Central Florida's Hispanic community. It also included an announcement about the Hispanic Chamber's development and the introduction of an upcoming initiative that will play a pivotal role in shaping the organization's future endeavors.

Community Halloween Event: Visit Orlando joined Orange County Commissioner Emily Bonilla's family-friendly Halloween event at the Goldenrod Recreation Center in District 5 this past weekend. We were delighted to engage with residents and share the vibrant spirit of Orlando.

In the News

PAX: Canada Jetlines announces Toronto-Orlando route

West Orlando News: Global Group honors Orlando International Airport's Vicki Jaramillo

Click Orlando: International tourism in Orange County should return to pre-pandemic levels by end of 2024, experts say

Travel Noire: Best cities in the world for disabled travelers

Smart Meetings: How the IMEX crowd prioritizes human beings at events

NewsBreak: Orlando residents prepare for 60 days of holiday celebrations at local theme parks