August 27, 2008

Orlando’s Growing, World-Class Shopping Offerings Highlighted in New Shop America Tours

ORLANDO, Fla. -- The Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Inc. (Orlando CVB) has teamed up with Shop America Tours, the leading provider of shopping tours in the United States, to package and sell Orlando’s diverse array of shopping experiences to both domestic and international visitors as “Shop Orlando.”

Participating Orlando CVB members include Pointe Orlando, Prime Outlets International – Orlando, The Florida Mall, The Mall at Millenia, and the Park Avenue Association of Winter Park, Fla. with each entity providing travelers with two or three value-priced package offers complete with bonus gifts and experiences.  They join Festival Bay Mall, Lake Buena Vista Factory Stores and Orlando Premium Outlets who currently offer shopping packages with Shop America Tours, also the official shopping tour provider on the new U.S. Discover America Web sites designed for international visitors. 

“Thirty-seven percent of U.S. leisure visitors and an astounding 95.2 percent of overseas visitors* shop while vacationing in Orlando,” said Danielle Courtenay, chief marketing officer of the Orlando CVB.  “With the multi-million dollar outlet mall renovations, new mall stores and infusion of boutique shopping, Orlando offers shopping options that not only now rival big fashion cities but that are putting the destination on the map in addition to our world-renowned attractions.”

“We are thrilled to add Orlando to our member list including such top U.S. shopping destinations as California, New York and Las Vegas which says a lot for the tremendous growth in Orlando’s shopping experience,” said Rosemary McCormick, president, Shop America Alliance.  “Shop America Tours is known for providing exceptional shopping experiences at America’s most exciting travel destinations and we are confident shoppers will be very pleasantly surprised with all that Orlando has to offer.”

Beginning in September, all Orlando shopping packages will be featured on a “Shop Orlando” landing page at shopamericatours.com/shoporlando.  Typically, Shop America Tour packages typically start at $15 with such amenities as VIP coupon books or gift certificates and can go as high as $1,000 including a day-long fashion makeover with professional stylists.  Transportation is often included, along with dining, cultural, spa, show or adventure activities.  Packages are offered in English and Spanish.

Orlando’s shopping renaissance began in October 2002 with the opening of The Mall at Millenia, a 1.2 million-square-foot (115,500 square-meters) super regional center bringing 150 of the world's finest retailers and restaurants to the region including the market debut of anchors Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdale's and Macy's and high-end specialty stores Chanel, Gucci and Jimmy Choo to name a few.  It joined The Florida Mall, Orlando’s largest shopping mall with more than 260 stores.  Numerous specialty boutiques followed such as Shou’ture, a unique shoe store and pedicure salon located on tony Park Avenue in Winter Park and recently featured on the Travel Channel’s “Samantha Brown: Passports to Great Weekends” series; along with unique stores like Steve and Barry’s at Festival Bay Mall.  In January 2006, a 325-room luxury condominium resort opened adjacent to the Lake Buena Vista Factory Outlets making it easy and convenient to Stay and Shop.  In summer 2008, Prime Outlets International – Orlando completed a multi-million dollar renovation of its outlet mall with 175 brand-name stores including Neiman Marcus LAST CALL, Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5^th, Juicy Couture and Victoria's Secret Outlet.  This November, the 110-outlet store Orlando Premium Outlets unveils a massive expansion project complete with more than 60 new brand-name stores including Michael Kors and Joe’s Jeans.

About Shop America Tours

Shop America Tours provides world-class shopping and dining experiences plus exceptional savings at America's most exciting travel destinations. Options include Shop & Play, Shop & Dine, Shop & Spa, Shop & Beauty, Shop & Shuttle, Shop & Show and more great packages at the nation's premier shopping centers, retailers and outlets -- all value priced with bonus gifts. Shop America Tours is a division of the SHOP AMERICA ALLIANCE, the exclusive travel trade association representing hundreds of the top shopping and dining tourism destinations. 

About the Orlando CVB

The Orlando CVB (orlandoinfo.com) is the official branding, sales and marketing organization for the Orlando area responsible for generating brand awareness, increasing leisure travel and booking conventions and meetings.