March 22, 2018

Circle Your Calendar: Register Today
for Our Industry's Can't-Miss Event

-- George Aguel

February was another month of solid growth for Orlando's hotel metrics. Orlando occupancy rose 2.8 percent to 83.9 percent, the highest February occupancy since February 1997 (84.9 percent).  Orlando posted a higher occupancy rate and faster growth than both the state (81.1 percent, +2.1 percent) and the nation (61.7 percent, +1.2 percent). In addition, February's average daily rate rose 3.5 percent to $139.69 and revenue per available room (RevPAR) rose 6.3 percent to $117.23.

Celebrate Travel
with Visit Orlando

Each May we gather to commemorate National Travel & Tourism Week at Visit Orlando's Celebrating Travel & Tourism Luncheon and honor those who make our industry great. This year, Visit Orlando welcomes to the stage two highly-regarded industry leaders: Jonathan Tisch (pictured), chairman & CEO of Loews Hotels, and Roger Dow, president & CEO of the U.S. Travel Association. The event will also include a pre-luncheon session featuring Martin Stoll, founder and CEO of Sparkloft Media, who will share his deep knowledge on how to leverage social media and the trends and changes you can expect in the next 18 months. Register today.

PITTCON Brings 11K
to Convention Center

Visit Orlando President & CEO George Aguel joined PITTCON President Adrian Michael Feb. 27 at the PITTCON Conference & Expo 2018 ribbon-cutting ceremony. Over the course of four days, more than 11,500 attendees participated in the Pittsburgh Conference on Analytical Chemistry & Applied Spectroscopy at the Orange County Convention Center.

Landing the
Travel Channel

Visit Orlando's public relations team secured coverage on TravelChannel.com, one of the nation's top travel outlets, for a piece that showcases how to eat an entire day of mickey-shaped food at Disney World.

Top-Rated Network
Showcases Orlando

As a result of a destination orientation, Viagens ao Redor do Mundo filmed two, one-hour episodes featuring Orlando that aired on Band TV, one of Brazil's highest-rated television networks. The program showcased some of the destination's most delicious dining, distinctive entertainment, unique shopping and noteworthy attractions. The show's host was joined by influencer Felps, with a 4.8 million reach across social media, who shared his Orlando experience with his followers during filming.

Visit Orlando Upgrades
Orlando Travel Academy

Agents interested in becoming certified Orlando Travel Experts can now enjoy Visit Orlando's newly revamped online training academy. The training academy now provides information about what's new in the area for 2018, including not only new theme park openings and improvements but also information on attractions, dining, nightlife and other points of interest outside the parks. Read more in Travel Weekly.

Visitor Center Welcomes
Spring Breakers

Have you been to Orlando's Official Visitor Center at the corner of I-Drive and Sand Lake Road? If so, you know it's a destination in its own right, inviting guests to explore all of the magical, thrilling and wondrous experiences that can only be enjoyed in Orlando. Visitors can get help navigating Orlando via our knowledgeable, multilingual Vacation Guides dedicated to promoting our members' businesses while providing guests with resources they can trust. Stop by to say "hi," and see just how hard our Vacation Guides are working for Orlando -- and for your business.

Orlando's Hidden
Gems Highlighted 

Visit Orlando's public relations team secured an article in top-tier Canadian family magazine Reader's Digest Online. The article highlighted unique can't-miss activities outside the theme parks, including value attractions, outdoor adventures, cultural finds and more. The coverage was shared on the magazine's Twitter page, as well.

16K Expected at ASA
Convention in 2019

The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) convention planning team was in Orlando this week conducting site visits, which included a special dolphin experience at SeaWorld. More than 16,000 attendees are expected at ASA's national convention in October 2019.

At the Center

Hospitality Sector
Leads Area Job Growth

The unemployment rates in Orange and Seminole counties were among the lowest in the state for January, according to a report released Monday. In Metro Orlando, the largest source of jobs added came from the leisure and hospitality sector, with 11,500 new jobs.

OIA Embraces 'Farm
to Terminal' Trend

The Orlando airport is the latest flying hub to discover the local and fresh trend that has swept the restaurant industry. Some in the travel industry are calling it "farm to terminal" -- a reference to the popular farm-to-table trend in American restaurants -- to describe more cuisine options inside the nation's airports.

Sentinel Unveils
Foodie Award Winners

This week the Orlando Sentinel unveiled the winners of its 20th annual Orlando Sentinel Foodie Awards, a contest where critics and readers celebrate Central Florida restaurants. 

Provost Whittaker to
be President of UCF

Provost Dale Whittaker is poised to become the next president of the University of Central Florida, saying he wants to lead the institution to "pre-eminent" status and develop a leading academic health science center. He will succeed John Hitt, who is retiring June 30 after 26 years as president.

Drive Shack to
Debut Early Spring

Drive Shack is set to debut its 60,000-square-foot flagship location in Lake Nona's Sports and Performance District this spring. The three-story, indoor/outdoor golf-entertainment complex features 90 hitting bays, a Free Play Game Lounge with classic games, a full-service restaurant and bar, an outdoor lounge and three fully equipped meeting and event rooms.

88M Americans Planning
Family Vacations in 2018

A new survey from AAA Travel found that an estimated 88 million Americans plan to take family vacations in 2018. The surge is due in part to 44 percent of millennials planning a family getaway, which is more than Generation X (39 percent) or Baby Boomers (32 percent).

Facebook Gaining
Popularity for Reviews

Nearly three-quarters of all online reviews come from four sites: Booking.com, Google, TripAdvisor and Facebook. Facebook is a new entry in the top four, replacing Hotels.com. Properties received an average of 37 reviews per month in 2017 -- up from 28 in 2016 -- and most were positive, with an average score of 4.23.

Room Demand Shows
Seasonal Pattern

According to Hotel News Now, from 2015 to 2017, U.S. room demand -- along with its related occupancy indicator -- follows a distinct seasonal pattern, with clear high and low months. Average daily rate, however, showed remarkably little movement across months.

Hotels Offer Higher
Education Program 

A new pilot program will offer streamlined degree opportunities to hotel industry employees in partnership with Pearson's AcclerateED Pathways program.

Travel Sentiment
Increases

The overall Traveler Sentiment Index (TSI) currently stands at 116, up one point from this time last year (115). This increase can be attributed to a five-point increase in perceived affordability of travel and a four-point increase in personal finances available for travel.

Global Study Shows
Travelers Prefer Apps

A global study by Travelport Digital showed that 58 percent of people prefer apps to search for flights and 53 percent preferred apps to find accommodation. Analysts note that travel brands matching their app experience to consumer expectations will drive more bookings, add more ancillaries and create longer-term value.

Brazil to Sign Open
Skies Agreement