September 29, 2009

Orlando/Orange County CVB Releases Updated Forecast for 2009

ORLANDO, Fla. – Total visitation to Orlando is expected to decline 9.1 percent, from   48.9 million in 2008 to 44.5 million visitors in 2009, according to the newly updated destination forecast commissioned by the Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Inc. (Orlando/Orange County CVB) from its research vendor, IHS Global Insight, Inc. The updated forecast reflects the following trends in visitation:

• Combined domestic and international arrivals are expected to decline 9.1 percent, from an estimated 48.9 million visitors in 2008 to 44.5 million in 2009, and decline 0.2 percent in 2010 to 44.4 million visitors.
• Domestic visitation, with 45.5 million visitors in 2008, is expected to decline 9.0 percent to 41.4 million in 2009 and decline 0.3 percent in 2010 to 41.3 million visitors.
• International visitation is expected to decline 9.6 percent, from 3.4 million visitors in 2008, to 3.05 million visitors in 2009, and increase 1.4 percent in 2010 to 3.1 million visitors.
• The United Kingdom, which was Orlando's top international market, is forecasted to become Orlando's second largest international market with arrivals expected to decline 16.4 percent, from 959,000 in 2008 to 801,000 visitors in 2009, and decline 2.9 percent in 2010 to 778,000 visitors.
• Visitation from Canada, Orlando's second largest international market with 940,000 visitors in 2008, is expected to become Orlando's top international market, even though arrivals are expected to decline 8.5 percent to 860,000 in 2009 and increase 5.4 percent to 907,000 visitors in 2010.
• Overnight convention/group meeting is expected to decline 15.2 percent, from 3.5 million visitors in 2008 to approximately 3.0 million visitors in 2009, and continue to decline 4.5 percent to 2.8 million visitors in 2010.

The model used for updating the Orlando visitor forecast for 2009 incorporates first quarter 2009 and year-end domestic visitor statistics for 2008 from D.K. Shifflet & Associates. IHS Global Insight, Inc.'s forecast model is based on economic indicators from Florida, the United States and the global economy. The model used to generate the forecast includes factors such as gross domestic product, employment levels, inflation rates and currency exchange rates. Past and current travel forecasts do not take into consideration the effect of destination advertising on travel.                     

IHS Global Insight, Inc. is an international economic research, analysis and forecasting company with more than 3,800 clients in numerous industries. The company employs more than 700 professionals, researchers and economists at 25 offices in 14 countries across North and South America, Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia.

D.K. Shifflet & Associates Ltd., a travel research firm, specializes in consumer-based travel data. DKS&A's DIRECTIONS^® Travel Intelligence SystemSM collects detailed monthly travel data on more than 150,000 trips annually collected from a sample of U.S. households.

The Orlando CVB began forecasting travel to the destination in April 2002. The Orlando CVB is the official branding, sales and marketing organization for the Orlando area responsible for generating brand awareness, increasing travel to the area and booking conventions and meetings. For more information, visit orlandoinfo.com.