At Visit Orlando, we're joining local efforts to recognize Pride Month by celebrating the positive impact of our LGBTQ+ community — while simultaneously working to create a fun, inclusive, welcoming destination for everyone.
As you know, this year carries an even deeper significance for Orlando, with June 12 marking the five-year anniversary of the Pulse nightclub tragedy.
For ways to show your support, consider One Alliance's 49 Acts of Love & Kindness or OnePulse Foundation's Remembrance Week activities. We've also issued a Pride Month press release and compiled several events throughout our destination, starting with tomorrow's RED Shirt Pride Day and CommUNITY Rainbow Run.
Speaking of rainbows, our new #ShowYourRainbow campaign invites everyone to share videos or photos of their favorite rainbow in Orlando, in whatever form that takes. Post #ShowYourRainbow on social media or email social@visitorlando.com. We'll reshare these rainbows throughout June on our social channels.
Reminder: Please Complete the Visit Orlando Survey
To ensure Orlando remains a competitive destination in the ever-changing travel sphere, we need valuable feedback from you, our key stakeholders in tourism, business, education, government and philanthropy. Please make time to share your honest and anonymous thoughts in our DestinationNEXT survey by June 30.
Ted the Loggerhead Turtle Wins Frontier Plane Tail Promotion
Congratulations to Ted, the loggerhead turtle from SEA LIFE Aquarium, for being voted Olrando's "most-loved animal" as part of our recent promotion with Frontier Airlines. Soon, Ted will get the honor of becoming the next "face" of a Frontier plane tail. Read more here, and watch the video above to hear his acceptance speech!
Thank you to our other partners (and animals) who participated, including Ella, a black bear from Central Florida Zoo; Flurry, an albino hatchling gator from Wild Florida; and Larry, an alligator from Gatorland.
Designed to promote travel to Orlando by highlighting some of our many outdoor experiences to see Florida wildlife, this promotion received national media coverage and strong engagement from consumers, delivering over 400 million impressions.
Visit Orlando's Industry Insights Roundtable
To help our member companies navigate the future of tourism, we're bringing back Industry Insights Roundtables. The next session, June 22 from 3:30 to 5 p.m., will feature an update from our market research and insights team, followed by discussion with fellow members in the accommodations industry.
Sign up early to guarantee your seat. Cost: $10 per person. Location: Tru by Hilton Orlando Convention Center Area, 6461 Westwood Blvd.
"Safer, Stronger, Together" Wins National Award
I'm proud to share that Orlando's "Safer, Stronger, Together" campaign took first place in the 2021 National Association of County Achievement Awards. A joint effort between Visit Orlando, Orange County and the Orlando Economic Partnership, the campaign was lauded for establishing safety measures as the "new norm" across the destination.
M&C Networking and Interview Opportunities
Sharing insights and connecting with other professionals in the meetings industry is an important element of Orlando's recovery, and this week I had the pleasure of speaking with several groups about our destination's strong comeback in this area. Thank you to the Virtual Meetings & Events Association, AMC Institute and MeetingsNet for allowing us to promote Orlando's ongoing leadership in the return of safe meetings and events.
Memorial Day Weekend Occupancy Eclipses 84%
For the week ending May 29, occupancy rose to 58.5% from 56.5% the previous week. Weekend occupancy spiked to a pandemic record of 84.4% thanks to Memorial Day weekend, with Saturday's occupancy surpassing 90% for the first time in over a year. Average daily rate rose $9.19 to $115.71.
