Feb. 24, 2017

Orlando Never Tasted So Good

"Orlando is becoming a sophisticated food destination..." raved the The Boston Globe this week after Visit Orlando invited them to experience the destination. (Read the full article in this issue.)

Two local chefs also were just nominated for the prestigious James Beard award for the "Best Chef in the South" category. Nominees Kathleen Blake of The Rusty Spoon and Brandon McGlamery of Luma on Park are part of a growing contingent of chefs being recognized for exceptional dishes using locally sourced ingredients.

Notable celebrity chefs from all over the world are choosing to plant roots in Orlando with their own eateries, and we have been named "The No. 1 Foodie City in the U.S." by WalletHub in 2016.

Such growing recognition would be envied by most destinations. The secret to our success? We work together. Savvy business leaders, inspired chefs and creative marketers team together to create offerings that are both innovative and attractive to visitors and enjoyed by residents too.

Visit Orlando ensures that we market and promote our destination's evolving dining position as in the example of this Boston Globe article. This story will continue as even more new eateries emerge that add to our roster of exciting concepts.

-George Aguel

January Lodging Metrics

Metro Orlando's hotel occupancy rate averaged 75.1 percent in January, down 0.9 percent from 75.8 percent last year. Rooms sold (aka demand) was up 1 percent but was offset by a 1.9 percent increase in room night supply. The average daily rate in January was $124.90, up 1 percent.  Orlando's occupancy rate exceeded the state (71.2 percent) and national (53.8 percent) rates.

Boston Globe on Area's "Food Renaissance"

The Public Relations Team generated coverage in Boston Globe in both print/online for a combined 5.2 million impressions following a dining press trip we hosted last spring. The article highlights Orlando's "dining renaissance," calling out celebrity chefs, local James Beard nominees and neighborhood food hall, East End Market.

Blog Promotes SeaWorld's New Food Festival

Visit Orlando's recent blog spotlights "7 Must Sees" at SeaWorld Orlando's Seven Seas Food Festival taking place now through May 13. The blog offers readers tips on enjoying the park's newest festival, with mention of the 11 international food markets, desserts and drink offerings, music and local artisans, the Florida Cool Cars display, and, while not a feature of the festival, the park's newest coaster Mako.

Luxury Focus of U.K. Media Coverage

Destination stories in Kensington & Chelsea Magazine and Notting Hill & Holland Park Magazine — two upscale U.K. media outlets — generated a combined 72,500 impressions as a result of Visit Orlando's adult-focused press trip last fall. The article says "Orlando has very much come up in the luxury market division in recent years and now plays host to world-class hotels, restaurants, bars and shops," and highlights the major theme parks as well at Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort.

"Orlando Blooms" in Top Woman's Mag

The Visit Orlando Public Relations Team generated a destination story in Woman's Weekly (circulation 284,251) following a press trip last fall. "Orlando Blooms" includes detailed reviews of the writer's visit to Rosen Shingle Creek, SeaWorld Orlando, I-Drive 360, Discovery Cove, Universal Studios, Cirque du Soleil and WonderWorks, as well as mention of the new attractions coming to Orlando in 2017.

Weather Network Partnership Nets Added Coverage

As a result of Visit Orlando's partnership with Canada's The Weather Network, the team generated two additional online features, for a combined 10 million impressions. "Visit Orlando: Biggest bang for your buck" highlighted tips for maximizing your budget in Orlando. "Visit Orlando: Sport lover's dream" showcased Orlando's emerging sports scene. This is in addition to previous stories covering what's new and upcoming events.

Orlando’s Outdoor Adventures to Air in China

Visit Orlando teamed up with Tudou out of China to create a series of vignettes showcasing the destination. Tudou is China's version of YouTube and the segments feature host "Edison," who was the winner of China's Master Chef TV show in the first season. The segments, scheduled to air in China in April, will feature some of Orlando's outdoor adventures including Buena Vista Watersports and the Coca-Cola Orlando Eye.

March/April Orlando Arts Magazine Available

The March/April 2017 issue of Orlando Arts Magazine, the official publication of United Arts of Central Florida, is now available. Feature coverage includes Jay Boyar's take on the upcoming Florida Film Festival and a guide to Central Florida's summer cultural camps. The issue also previews new exhibitions at The Mennello Museum of American Art and Southeast Museum of Photography, as well as a host of cultural events taking place in Central Florida during March and April.

Visit Orlando produces and publishes the magazine as part of a community partnership with United Arts. With a monthly distribution of 19,000, Orlando Arts 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.

Impact Forum Attracts Healthcare Industry Leaders

Visit Orlando's Senior Vice President of Convention Sales Fred Shea hosted two CEOs from medical organizations during last week's Lake Nona Institute Impact Forum. The two-day conference, held in Lake Nona, attracts more than 250 of the nation's healthcare leaders each year. This year's forum featured a range of speakers, including: Deepak Chopra, M.D.; Dana Nicholson Bledsoe, president of Nemours Children's Hospital; Peter Fasolo, Ph.D, executive vice president and chief human resources officer of Johnson & Johnson; Mark Hyman, M.D., director for Functional Medicine at the Cleveland Clinic Center; and Sanjay Gupta, M.D., CNN chief medical correspondent. With more than 4,700 life sciences and healthcare companies, state-of-the-art research and medical training facilities, and one of the nation's largest specialty pharmacy clusters, Orlando has become a new hub for medical meetings.

Pictured, from left to right, are: Marty Liggett, executive director, American Society of Hematology; Fred Shea, Visit Orlando; and Dr. Marla Weston, CEO, American Nurses Association.

DER Touristik Talk & Dine in Essen

Last week, Visit Orlando's Travel Industry Sales Team participated at DER Touristik´s Talk & Dine training event in the city of Essen, near Düsseldorf, Germany. Forty-five partner travel agents attended the event where the team held a Visit Orlando presentation in partnership with SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment and Visit St. Pete/Clearwater. The location of the training was also key given new nonstop flights coming to Orlando with Air Berlin from Düsseldorf and Eurowings from Cologne/Bonn.

Pictured, from left to right, are: Michael Liedtke, SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment; Rukhsana Timmis, Visit Orlando; Marion Wolf, Visit St. Pete/Clearwater; Katrin Raddue, Opta Data Reisebüro Lufthansa City Center (winner of grand prize).

Cosmopolitan Brasil Showcases Orlando

Cosmopolitan Brasil, with an average online monthly visitor traffic of 9.5 million and 125,000 print circulation, published an article showcasing Orlando in its February issue as a result of a Visit Orlando press trip hosted last fall. Highlights include activities and venues geared toward adults that are found in Winter Park, downtown Orlando, Universal's City Walk and International Drive. Winter Park activities and venues mentioned are the scenic boat tour, The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art, The Wine Room and shopping on Park Avenue. Universal's new Toothsome Chocolate Emporium was praised for its unique flare of sweets, drinks and steampunk decor. Downtown Orlando's Dr. Phillips Center of the Performing Arts is noted for its stunning architecture, upcoming shows and convenience to local hangouts like Lake Eola and Ceviche Tapas Bar and Restaurant. And International Drive's new restaurants and attractions mentioned are Tapa Toro and the colorful performances and atmosphere of Mango's Tropical Café.

This Week at the Convention Center

Madame Tussauds Unveils Interactive Experience

Madame Tussauds Orlando has unveiled a new interactive guest experience. The customized camera system utilizes multiple cameras to stitch together a unique photo of fans interacting with Brazilian soccer star Neymar da Silva Santos Jr.'s figure.

iFly's New Facility to Open in April

iFly Indoor Skydiving has announced its new facility next to WonderWorks on International Drive will open April 27. The facility is quipped with two all-glass wind tunnels in an open single-story floor plan.

Topgolf Crush to Tee Up at Camping World

From March 10-12, sports fans, golfers and even non-golfers alike can enjoy food, drinks and music while crushing golf balls from the stands of Camping World Stadium into giant targets on the field. Topgolf Crush tickets are currently on sale here.

MCO South Terminal Design Meets Benchmark

Construction activity will begin soon on the $1.8 billion South Terminal Complex (STC) Phase 1 Terminal C at Orlando International Airport. As the project advances toward the anticipated building phase, the design phase is nearly two-thirds complete.

Travelers Spend $947B in U.S. in 2016

Domestic and international travelers in the United States spent $947 billion worth of expenditures in 2015, according to the Impact of Travel on State Economies, 2016 Edition report, which was just released by the U.S. Travel Association.

Meetings Mean Business Advocacy Goes Global

A newly created licensing agreement will allow Meetings Mean Business (MMB) Coalition partners in countries and regions outside of the United States to use MMB branding, messaging and research to form one strong, cohesive voice for the industry.

Carrier Flight Cancellations Lowest in 22 Years

In 2016, the reporting carriers canceled 1.17 percent of their scheduled domestic flights, an improvement over the 1.5 percent cancellation rate in 2015 and the lowest in the 22 years with comparable numbers, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.

CDC Zika Information

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), its most current data available at the time of this writing (for the period of Jan. 1, 2015-Feb. 22, 2017) indicate that 221 locally acquired cases have been reported in the United States, while 4,747 travel-associated cases have been reported. For the most current information about the Zika virus, visit the CDC's Zika page.