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Visit Orlando - Tourism Matters
 
Featured Event
 
Visit Orlando Luncheon

Our first signature luncheon of 2018 will feature an insightful conversation between Jonathan Tisch, chairman & CEO of Loews Hotels, and Roger Dow, president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association.
Click here to register.

 

 
Join the Conversation
 
Animal Kingdom

Visit Orlando's social media team took a walk on the wild side at Orlando's zoos, wildlife ranches and gardens.

 

 
Visit Orlando Events
 

member orientation

May 1
Member Orientation

Recommended for both new members and long time Visit Orlando members to learn:
• How Visit Orlando markets the area as a convention, meetings and visitor destination.
• The benefits of membership.
• How to take advantage of the value-added services available exclusively to members.
Click here to register.

Member Presents
Members interested in targeting the meetings and convention market can present their products or services during monthly, 30-minute sessions with Destination Services. Click here to schedule a session.

 
 
Member-to-Member Offers
 

Orange Lake

Holiday Inn Club Vacations at Orange Lake Resort is offering Visit Orlando members the chance to come celebrate the resort's 10th birthday and receive 10 percent off. Book now or call 866-892-5890 and ask for the birthday celebration rate: ILXD7.

Balmoral Resort pool

Book your next vacation rental at Balmoral Resort and save 20 percent through May 31. Contemporary homes with private pools and spacious townhomes, just steps from the clubhouse. Click here or call 866-5-VILLAS.

OCS

Orlando City Soccer Club is extending a special offer to Visit Orlando members to all matches for the 2018 season. Click here to purchase tickets (link does not work in Internet Explorer). Use promo code VO.

Orlando Watersports Complex is offering half-price riding every Wednesday from 2 p.m. to close. For redemption, mention offer code VOM2M.

The Escape Game Orlando is offering 10 percent off all games for Visit Orlando members. Book online by using offer code VisitORL_member10.

Visit Orlando members save $7 off general admission to Crayola Experience. Tickets must be purchased at tickets.crayolaexperience.com using offer code VOM18.

Visit Orlando members receive a $10 discount on tickets to “In the Artist's Studio with Derrick Adams” taking place April 20 at the MEZZ. Tickets include food and two drinks. Purchase tickets at http://intheartists.studio using promo code visitorlandoguest. 

Do you have an offer you would like to see posted? Submit an offer to Visit Orlando Member Relations here.

 
 
Industry Events
 

April 25
HSMAI Luncheon

Wyndham International Drive

May 10
Visit Orlando's Celebrating Travel & Tourism Luncheon

Loews Sapphire Falls Resort

 
 
Community Events
 

Saturdays
Parramore Farmers Market
Orlando City Stadium

Saturdays
Winter Park Farmers Market
Winter Park

Sundays
Orlando Farmers Market
Lake Eola Park

Second Thursday of Every Month
Thornton Park's Wine and Art Walk
Thornton Park District

Through April 21
Celebrating 75 Years Pathway of American Art
Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art

Sunset

April 21
Sunset Blueberry Picking
Southern Hill Farms

April 22
10th Annual Winter Park Paint Out
Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens

Through April 22
Nature Connects® Art with LEGO®
Harry P. Leu Gardens

Through April 22
Art31: Fiber
Maitland Arts Center

7 Sea

Through April 29
Seven Seas Food Festival
Sea World

Through May 5
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
Orlando Shakespeare Theater

Through May 6
Things Come Apart
Orange County Regional History Center

Feb22_Epcot-Flower-and-Garden

Through May 28
International Flower and Garden Festival
Epcot

 
 
Connect With Visit Orlando
 

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Download the free Visit Orlando App for your personalized Orlando experience. The best way to navigate Orlando.

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President & CEO's Message
 

April 19, 2018

Landwirth's Legacy: Giving Kids the World

George Aguel

Central Florida mourned the passing this week of a true icon in our community, Give Kids the World founder Henri Landwirth. Among a life full of accomplishments, Henri will best be remembered for helping thousands of critically ill children, and their families, fulfill their wish by receiving all-expense-paid vacations to Orlando.

I had the pleasure of first meeting Henri when my wife, Ana, and I attended our first Give Kids the World Banquet as the guests of Dick Nunis, then the Chairman of Disney Parks and Resorts. Henri was seated at the same table, and that night we were struck by his vision, which has touched so many lives ever since.

A Holocaust survivor, U.S. Army veteran and self-made businessman, Henri was a successful hotelier who opened his first Holiday Inn franchise in 1969 near Disney. For half a century, he built strong partnerships not only in our local tourism industry, but also with many outside groups and organizations that wanted to be associated with his leadership and caring spirit.

Henri leaves behind a beautiful legacy of sharing the magic of Orlando with children across the globe. All of us will greatly miss his big smile, and even bigger heart.

-George Aguel

Apr19_Henri_Landwirth_Kids_Castle

 
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From the Research & Insights Desk of Visit Orlando
 
Hotel Occupancy Rises; ADR Tops $150

Metro Orlando's hotel occupancy rate for March rose 2.0 percent over the same time last year to 89.2 percent -- the highest since 1996 (also 89.2 percent, incidentally). Occupancy levels were generally flat through the first half of March before rising 11.7 percent the last week of the month due to Easter falling on April 1. The average daily rate for March rose 9.2 percent to $152.05, making it the first time Orlando's ADR exceeded $150 and setting an all-time high for the market.

 
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Visit Orlando Updates
 

tacos

Growing Orlando's
Culinary Reputation

Visit Orlando's publicity team continues to work to increase the awareness of our region as a foodie hotspot. The latest story, which ran last week in the Chicago Tribune, takes readers on a culinary journey from the Mills 50 District ... to Winter Park ... to Disney Springs and beyond. In all, 18 local restaurants and businesses were featured in "Away from the theme parks, Orlando area offers dining thrills." The article was also picked up by other Tribune publications, including the Hartford Court, South Florida Sun-Sentinel and even our own Orlando Sentinel.

UK

UK Campaign Drives
Summer Visitation

Visit Orlando's consumer marketing team has launched a spring campaign in the United Kingdom and Ireland to drive summer visitation. The integrated campaign is expected to generate more than 60 million impressions, ensuring Orlando is top of mind during the key April/May booking period. The advertising UK consumer landing page and Ireland consumer landing pages encourage residents to Book Your Unforgettable 2018 Summer Holiday! In addition, Bauer Radio will feature an on-air promotion across five stations in Scotland, providing listeners the chance to win one of 30 trips to Orlando, in partnership with Barrhead Travel.

OBJ

OBJ Gets Up Close
with George Aguel

George Aguel, president and CEO of Visit Orlando, recently sat down with the Orlando Business Journal to talk about goals, his best advice, lessons learned and more. Read more here. Note: Story requires paid subscription.

Roadshow

Visit Orlando Roadshow
Heading to U.K., Ireland

Visit Orlando and several member companies will take to the road for a series of travel agent trainings in 10 cities across the U.K. and Ireland. The 2018 Visit Orlando Roadshow will provide significant information about the destination, present agents the opportunity to complete the Orlando Travel Academy course and share tips on how to become an "Orlando Travel Expert."

millenials

Millenial Influencers
Showcase Orlando

Two top-tier Canadian lifestyle and travel influencers Kerina Mango and Audrey-Anne Jean published a series of social posts across Instagram, reaching more than 600,000 followers combined. The ladies also posted a video on Kerina's YouTube channel, as well as a blog on Kerina's website about their Orlando adventures. The coverage was a result of a destination orientation led by the Visit Orlando public relations team to target the Canadian millennial audience.

 

ISA

Record Orlando
Attendance at ISA Expo

The International Sign Association held its annual expo at the Orange County Convention Center March 22-24, boasting record attendance. With more than 20,000 attendees and 600 exhibitors, it is the largest tradeshow in the sign, graphics and visual communications industry. The expo will return to Orlando in 2020.

EnVision

Visit Orlando Attends
EnVision Conference

Visit Orlando, in conjunction with the Orange County Convention Center, attended the EnVision Conference in Detroit. Hosted by event management company Experient, the conference brings together meeting professionals, destinations and hotel partners from around the world. One-on-one appointments, educational sessions and key networking events took place during the three-day event.

WTM

Nearly 12K Attendees at
WTM Latin America

Visit Orlando recently attended WTM Latin America, the leading global business-to-business tradeshow that reinforces Latin America's position in the travel and tourism industry. The event, which took place at the Expo Center Norte in Sao Paulo, included exhibitors from more than 50 countries. Nearly 12,000 industry professionals attended, representing a 7 percent increase in participation over last year. Visit Orlando partners included Universal Parks & Resorts, SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, Wonderworks, North America Destinations, Personal RGE, Pegasus Transportation and Balmoral Resort Florida.

Brazil

Brazil Campaign
Generating Engagement

Visit Orlando's Brazil marketing campaign continues to engage consumers during key planning and booking timeframes. The campaign, which is expected to generate 200 million impressions, includes TV, print, online video, digital display, social media and search engine marketing until mid-June.

AVIESP

Best Int'l Destination,
2nd Consecutive Year

Visit Orlando was awarded "Best International Destination" for the second consecutive year during the AVIESP EXPO 2018 Show in Brazil. More than 3,000 industry professionals attended the expo.

 
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News About Orlando
 

At the Center

Group Meeting Start End Estimated Attendees Estimated Economic Impact
All Out Championships LLC All Out Season Showdown April 21 April 21 3,500 $3,447,500
 

Bids for WrestleMania,
Special Olympics OK'd

Orange County's newest group that helps attract sporting events is angling for the Special Olympics and WrestleMania. The county's Tourist Development Sports Incentive Committee approved two of its first proposals that could result in more than $242 million in economic impact. Note: Story requires paid subscription.

Read More

UCF Students Pitch
Theme Park Ideas

As an end-of-semester assignment, University of Central Florida students were asked to dream up their own miniature theme park. Rosen College hospitality management students detailed everything from ticket prices to security to what merchandise is sold as part of the popular hands-on project in their Theme Park and Attraction Management class.

Read More

Justice League Coming
to Madame Tussauds

Madame Tussauds Orlando announced a first-of-its-kind attraction experience that will combine an all-star cast of DC's Justice League with blockbuster thrills, authentic replica props and costumes that bring each character to life.

Read More

 

Rosen Profiled in
Smart Meetings

Harris Rosen, founder, COO and president of Rosen Hotels & Resorts, is profiled in the April issue of Smart Meetings magazine. "The Art of Raising an Extended Family" explores Rosen's effects on Orlando, the city's transformation into a top destination for conventions, and the hotelier's philanthropic efforts.

Read More

Universal Reveals
New Hotel Names

Universal Orlando Resort's new coastal beach-themed hotels off International Drive and Universal Boulevard now officially have names: Universal's Endless Summer Resort - Surfside Inn & Suites and Dockside Inn & Suites. The 750-room Surfside resort is slated to open in 2019, with the 2,050-room Dockside resort opening in 2020. Note: Story requires paid subscription.

Read More

'StarFlyer' to
Open June 1

The StarFlyer - a spinning swing that will stand over 400 feet tall, seat 24 riders in 12 double seats, spinning at 40-60 miles an hour - is slated to open June 1 on International Drive.

Read More

 
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Industry News
 

Trade Show Industry
Up 2 Percent in 2017

The Center for Exhibition Industry Research released its 2018 Index Report, which analyzes the 2017 exhibition industry and provides an outlook for the next three years. The Total Index, a measure of overall exhibition industry performance, increased by a moderate 2 percent, 1 percentage point higher than 2016.

Read More

2018 Outlook for
Attractions Industry

PGAV Destinations and H2R Market Research released findings of more than 1,500 U.S. leisure attraction visitors who visited either an attraction in 2017 or are considering doing so this year. Water parks, aquariums, science centers, dinner theaters, cruises and botanical gardens are expected to see the highest attendance growth in 2018.

Read More

 

Virtuoso Reports Interest
in Sustainable Tourism

Millennials are three times more likely than Gen-Xers to seek sustainable tourism experiences. Virtuoso identified several factors of sustainable tourism that most appealed to clients, including: reducing plastic waste, eco-friendly practices, eating local foods/supporting local farmers, staying at green hotels, conserving coral reefs and safeguarding historic sites.

Read More

Airbus Eyes Passenger
Sleeping Modules

Aircraft manufacturer Airbus recently revealed a partnership with Zodiac Aerospace to develop sleeping modules that would be installed in the cargo hold of planes. Airbus expects that by 2020 they will have a catalog of certified solutions for airlines to choose from.

Read More

 
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Tourism Ambassadors
 
Academy Sports ARDA Bags Balmoral Resort BB&T
British Airways Clear Channel Outdoor Darden Florida Distributing Company Florida Hospital
The Florida Mall IOA The Mall at Millenia Orlando Economic Partnership Orlando Health
Orlando International Airport Orlando Magic Orlando Premium Outlets OUC Orlando Sanford Airport
Pegasus Transportation Smart City Sullivan Benefits Tupperware Brands Wells Fargo
 
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