Sept. 9, 2016

Indicators Point to Fall Growth

As our industry turns our attention toward the second half of 2016, there are some bright spots on the horizon. Tourist tax collections, convention center attendance and airport passenger traffic are all higher than last year. In addition, several indicators are suggesting improved performance in the fall that will continue throughout 2017. For example, Orlando's advanced bookings for the remainder of the year are pacing ahead of where we found ourselves at this same time last year, and the latest lodging forecasts for 2017 predict room-night demand will grow 3 percent and ADR will rise by 3.6 percent.
 
While the remainder of the year is strong on the convention side, Orlando's convention commitments for 2017 are also pacing ahead of last year.
 
After an unprecedented period of six straight years of growth, it is true that our industry has seen occupancy levels and room-night demand slow in 2016. However, while these levels may appear soft, it is only when they're compared to 2015's remarkably high levels. In fact, beyond that one stellar year, this year's occupancies are the highest since 1998 when we had substantially less hotel rooms in the region.
 
So while market conditions appear to have softened a bit, our industry remains quite healthy and the outlook for the destination is positive. With pleasant fall temps on the way, a host of new attractions and event venues plus a robust convention calendar, Orlando continues to be the gold standard for hospitality and a destination of choice for leisure and convention travelers.

-George Aguel

CEIR Index Released for 2016 Q2

The Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR) announced the CEIR Index posted a modest year-on-year gain of 1.6 percent in 2016 Q2. The Index is designed to represent conditions in the business-to-business exhibition industry. Growth in the second quarter slowed from 2.6 percent in the first quarter and 3.7 percent in the fourth quarter of 2015. The pace of growth in 2016 Q2 was the slowest since the second quarter of 2014, nevertheless represented the 24th consecutive quarter of year-on-year growth. Read more about the CEIR Index here.

Visit Orlando Launches Canadian Fall Campaign

Visit Orlando's fall advertising campaign launched this week in Canada, the destination's No.1 international market, as Canadians begin making their warm-weather vacation plans. While search and social media posts have been running most of the year, added campaign elements include digital video and display advertising reaching women ages 25-54 with children in the household. Concentrating on the Ontario province and more specifically around Toronto and the Golden Horseshoe area, the campaign will soon include broadcast and cooperative efforts with Air Canada Vacations and WestJet Vacations. Ads will link to VisitOrlando.ca and promote "Deals Made for Canadians."

"Never Ending Story" on Display at Waterloo Station

As part of Visit Orlando's Fall Campaign that launched last week in the United Kingdom, high-impact advertising is being showcased in Waterloo Station, London's largest railway station. Digital video messages will deliver more than 41.3 million impressions with the promise that Londoners can experience the vacation of a lifetime in Orlando.

Orbitz Blog Touts Area's Fall Foodie Events

More than six million impressions were generated as a result of an Orbitz blog focusing on 10 Orlando "Must Do" Fall Foodie Activities. Visit Orlando worked with the writer, whose recommendations ranged from Visit Orlando's Magical Dining Month to the Waldorf Astoria Food & Wine Weekends, and Walt Disney Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic, to name a few.

Press Trip Spotlights Orlando's Luxe Side

Visit Orlando hosted a press trip for seven journalists from top Mexican lifestyle, fashion, travel, luxury and gourmet publications, including Rolling Stone, Esquire, Playboy México, Amura, Real Estate, Life & Style, Robb Report and Kena . Combined circulation for the publications reach more than two million readers. The group enjoyed a deluxe stay at the Four Seasons Resort Orlando, complete with spa treatments and lavish amenities. The press trip highlighted Orlando's luxury services, products and attractions with visits to fine-dining locations that included California Grill, DoveCote, Eddie V's Prime Seafood and Four Seasons' Capa Restaurant, as well as VIP tours at I-Drive 360, Mall at Millenia, Universal Studios, Walt Disney World, Downtown Orlando and Winter Park.

Orlando Arts Magazine's Latest Issue Now Available

The September/October issue of Orlando Arts Magazine, the official publication of United Arts of Central Florida, is now available. The Season Preview issue features Orlando's 2016/17 arts and cultural season highlights, including the story behind the first-ever exhibition of Francesco de Mura's paintings that's coming to Winter Park's Cornell Fine Arts Museum this fall, and an extensive calendar listing of the season's events.

Visit Orlando produces and publishes the magazine as part of a decade-long community partnership with United Arts of Central Florida. Distributed to 19,000 bimonthly, the magazine currently enjoys a pass-on rate to 75,000, with 54 distribution partnerships. To subscribe or to become a distribution partner, call Visit Orlando at 407-354-5552 or contact United Arts of Central Florida. To find out more on advertising opportunities, call 407-363-5826.

Publicity for New Visit Orlando App Reaches 50M

The Visit Orlando team secured 50 million media impressions and more than 400,000 on our owned social media channels following the announcement of the new Orlando App at Visit Orlando's Business of Travel & Tourism Economic Forum & Luncheon on Aug. 25 at the Hilton Orlando. Media coverage included articles in Orlando Sentinel, Smart Meetings, engadget and Yahoo! Finance as well as broadcasts on WKMG - CBS and Telemundo Orlando.

NBC New York Crew to Capture Orlando Vignettes

All next week, Visit Orlando is hosting a production crew from NBC New York to create series of vignettes that will air this fall on the morning show New York Live as well as on morning shows in both Miami and Chicago. The vignettes will feature TV host and lifestyle expert and blogger Ereka Vetrini, who has been featured on The Today Show as well as Meredith Vieira Show and TLC Sunday Brunch. The vignettes will showcase all that Orlando has to offer including "What's New" in the destination, "Luxury in Orlando," "Outdoor Adventures" and more. 

Key Networking Opportunities at Kellen Summit

Visit Orlando attended the Kellen Managers Summit in Atlanta, Georgia, on Aug. 30. 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. The Summit offered networking opportunities, including one-on-one meetings with key decision makers representing 220 meetings within the United States.

Pictured, from left are: Ann Crampton, Kellen; Michael Townes, Visit Orlando; and Alan Goodin, Kellen.

Orlando Hosts HIMSS Planning Team for 2017 Show

Healthcare Information & Management Systems Society (HIMSS) will hold their Annual Conference & Exhibition at the Orange County Convention Center in February 2017. Visit Orlando hosted the HIMSS planning team last week for one of several planning meetings they hold for the show. As part of their visit, SeaWorld Orlando hosted the HIMSS team for dinner at Sharks Underwater Grill. HIMSS is excited to be coming back to Orlando again in 2017. HIMSS was last in Orlando in 2014.

HIMSS team members, pictured at Sharks Underwater Grill, from left: Back Row - Rob Black, Rich Delort, Gail Rice, Jamie Paton, Karen Malone; Front Row - Elli Riley, Beth Faubel, Patsy Fukuda, Michelle Lawrie, Virginia Geoghegan

Travel Agent Roadshow in Germany

Visit Orlando participated in the Visit USA Germany Roadshow Aug. 29 - Sept. 1 in Cologne, Stuttgart, Munich and Nuremberg. During the four-day roadshow, the team trained 290 German travel agents about the Orlando destination's offerings with a trade presentation and video in an in-plenum format.

This Week at the Convention Center

Tips on Navigating Magical Dining Month's Choices

With the largest number of restaurants participating in Visit Orlando's Magical Dining Month to date, there's much from which to choose. "An Insider's Guide to Navigating Orlando's MDM" is here to help diners make their restaurant selections, with suggestions ranging from Trending Tables to Hidden Gems, Dinners With a View, Best Bang for Your Buck, Options for Vegetarians, and Best Plan for A Night Out.

Pictured: Cubre Libre Restaurant and Rum Bar's Tostones dish.

Festivals to Mix Brew & Music at House of Blues

House of Blues will host two beer and music fests in September. The fourth rendition of "Local Brews, Local Grooves" event that mixes Florida-based musicians and breweries takes place Saturday, Sept.10, and The Big Storm Brewery Untapped event on Sept. 25.

Discovery Cove Offers Savings to Floridians

Florida residents can now enjoy exclusive savings on admission to Orlando's Discovery Cove. In addition to special ticket pricing for residents, the park has added unlimited admission to SeaWorld Orlando and Aquatica, SeaWorld's Waterpark, through Jan. 31, 2017. Photo courtesy of Discovery Cove© 2016

TripAdvisor: Universal's Wizarding World
No. 1 Must-See for Harry Potter Fans

A recent TripAdvisor blog cites Universal Studios' Wizarding World of Harry Potter as the No. 1 must-see that "every Harry Potter enthusiast should add to their bucket list." Photo by Osseous via Wikimedia Commons

CAPA Aviation Summit 2017 Lands in Orlando

The Centre for Aviation recently announced that Orlando will host the third annual CAPA Americas Aviation Summit April 4-5, 2017, at the JW Marriott Grande Lakes Hotel. Hosted by the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, the event is a high-level forum for debate and discussion of strategic issues facing the aviation industry.

International Passenger Demand Shows Resilience

According to the International Air Transport Association, international passenger demand in July rose 7.1 percent compared to July 2015, which was an increase over the 5.0 percent yearly increase in June, with North American airline traffic climbing 4.8 percent.

U.S. Travel Association Releases Latest TTI

U.S. Travel Association's July Travel Trends Index (TTI) indicates that while domestic leisure travel and domestic business travel growth has slowed, the TTI's 3- and 6-month LTI readings of 50.6 and 50.5, respectively, indicate that U.S. travel overall is expected to grow at a rate of around 1.1 percent through January 2017.

Gas Prices Drop Post-Labor Day

According to AAA, The national average price for regular unleaded gasoline has dropped six consecutive days after rising for 16 straight days to close out August. Gas prices started turning lower heading into the Labor Day weekend.

CDC Zika Information

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), its most current data available (Sept. 7, 2016) indicate that 43 locally acquired cases have been reported in the United States, while 2,920 travel-associated cases have been reported. For the most current information about the Zika virus, visit the CDC's Zika page.