Here's your weekly look at what's happening across America's most visited destination, from the extension of Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining to our presence at the annual IMEX conference.
Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining Extended Through Oct. 7
Great news, everyone! To support local businesses and ensure two deserving charities receive maximum benefit despite Hurricane Dorian, we have extended Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining for an extra seven days, through Oct. 7. For just $35, visitors and residents can enjoy premium, three-course menus at participating restaurants, with $1 from each meal split between Lighthouse Central Florida and the National Alliance on Mental Illness Greater Orlando. Make your reservations today!
Hurricane Dorian Causes Dip in Hotel Occupancy
Despite Hurricane Dorian staying off the coast of Florida, the prolonged threat of bad weather impacted many vacationers’ travel plans. Metro Orlando’s hotel occupancy for the week of Sept. 1 was down 14.8% from the same week last year. The Labor Day weekend was especially affected here in Orlando and throughout other key markets in Florida.
Driving Business to Our Destination at IMEX
This week, Visit Orlando showcased our destination in Las Vegas at IMEX, the business event industry’s largest tradeshow in North America. More than 3,500 exhibitors representing 150 countries were in attendance, and Visit Orlando conducted over 200 appointments and 13 group presentations, as well as a “Wake Up with Orlando” breakfast for more than 200 key clients. Overall, IMEX provided an excellent forum for us to interact with key decision makers, senior buyers and media, with the goal of driving business to our destination and promoting the upcoming expansion of the Orange County Convention Center.
Roadshows Educate Travel Professionals in Brazil
In partnership with our theme parks and tour operators, Visit Orlando recently conducted a travel industry sales roadshow in Brazil, Orlando’s third-largest international market. Last month, we provided training on our destination for more than 1,000 travel professionals in Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Campinas and Curitiba. Several attendees completed our new Orlando Travel Academy program and received the designation of “Certified Orlando Expert.”
OTHER NEWS FROM VISIT ORLANDO
» Since embarking a few weeks ago on Visit Orlando’s quest to determine how long it would take to experience our entire destination, the MORlando team has already visited more than 50 attractions – everything from dinner shows and theme parks to museums and adventurous activities. Follow along on social media (#MORlando) and check out VisitOrlando.com/morlando for more details. Next week, we’ll highlight some of their recent adventures.
» To generate future in-house convention business for Orlando, our meetings and conventions team networked with more than 2,500 planners representing association, corporate, specialty and sports markets during the annual Connect Marketplace, in Kentucky.
