Visit Orlando recently returned to São Paulo, Brazil, for World Travel Market Latin America, the leading global event for the Latin American travel industry that brings together 20,000 influential travel professionals to network, conduct business and learn the latest news directly from destinations.

During the three-day event, Visit Orlando and a delegation of six members connected with industry professionals and media organizations to drive future visitation to Orlando.

Brazil has traditionally been one of Orlando's top overseas markets in terms of visitor volume, length of stay and spending. Our research shows that Brazilians continue to show strong interest in Orlando. However, visitor volume from Brazil is still below pre-pandemic levels.

Participating in events like WTM Latin America, with a strong Orlando presence, is essential to secure future business, positively impacting our local economy.

Our team met with hundreds of travel professionals, airline partners, more than 35 media outlet representatives and over 15 content creators. They also participated in VISIT FLORIDA, Brand USA and International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association's media events. Visit Orlando's hotel and attraction members showcased their products, gained leads and secured deals for future business.

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In addition, Visit Orlando hosted an Orlando Day Training event in partnership with members: Disney Destinations Sales, Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, Kennedy Space Center and Brightline.

More than 150 CVC travel advisors participated in the training, which included sales presentations and interactive activities to engage all participants and help them sell Orlando better to their clients. CVC is the largest tour operator in Brazil and Latin America.

Important Message: House Bill 7053

Advocating on behalf of you, your businesses, and Central Florida’s tourism industry is a priority for us at Visit Orlando, and we need your help! Despite overwhelming opposition from Visit Orlando, our partners and many groups throughout the state, the House Regulatory Reform & Economic Development Subcommittee passed HB 7053. This bill will severely harm Central Florida’s tourism industry by stripping away the state and our local communities’ ability to effectively promote its tourist destinations.

HB 7053 is up for its second committee of reference—the House Ways & Means Committee—in the coming weeks. Therefore, we need your help again. I urge you to contact your local House representativeespecially Rep. Anna Eskamani and Rep. Doug Bankson as they serve on the Ways & Means Committee and share with them the impacts HB 7053 will have on our community.

Visit Orlando's Signature Luncheon

We’re only a few weeks away from Visit Orlando's first Signature Luncheon of 2023, held during National Travel and Tourism Week. Register here and purchase single or 3-series corporate table sponsorships through Visit Orlando‘s member recruitment manager, Kelly Kinney.

Hotel Metrics

Metro Orlando occupancy for the week ending April 8, 2023, was 77.6%, down from last week’s 78.5% and down from the same week last year. Average Daily Rate for the week was $228.08, up 8.2% from last year.

Across the Industry

World Travel Awards: Visit Orlando and the Orlando destination have been nominated for the 30th anniversary World Travel Awards. The awards celebrate excellence across key sectors, including the travel, tourism and hospitality industries. The nomination categories include: 

  • North America's Leading City Break Destination 2023: Orlando, Florida, USA
  • North America's Leading City Destination 2023: Orlando, Florida, USA
  • North America's Leading Tourist Board 2023: Visit Orlando

Voting is now open and runs until midnight on July 9, 2023.

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Around the Destination

I-Drive Chamber Luncheon: Visit Orlando team members attended the International Drive Resort Area Chamber of Commerce’s monthly luncheon.  Brad Friel, senior VP of multi-modal planning and environment at Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, updated attendees on Orlando International Airport (MCO), which had more than 50 million passengers in 2022. Currently, they are developing their strategic plan and is encouraging stakeholders to complete an external survey to guide goals, strategies and initiatives that supports a vision for their organization. The survey closes on April 28.

407 Day Mural Social Images

Unbelievably Real Mural: Last Friday, we celebrated #407Day and collaborated with the City of Orlando, Orange County and Orlando Economic Partnership to unveil the "Unbelievably Real" mural in downtown Orlando and encourage residents to support local businesses. Following the celebration, media coverage appeared nationally on Yahoo News and locally on WFTVWESH2WKMG, News 13 and the Orlando Sentinel. We also shared information and images on our social channels as did several local organizations, like the Central Florida Hotel & Lodging Association and ICON Park.

Unbelievably Real Mural Social Media Images

To extend the celebration, Visit Orlando is partnering with local blog Tasty Chomps for a special social media giveaway. Residents and travelers are encouraged to post photos or selfies with the mural and tag Visit Orlando and Tasty Chomps on Instagram by Monday, April 17, to win prizes from local businesses, attractions and restaurants.

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Walt Disney World Community Event: The Walt Disney World External Affairs team hosted a community event celebrating the grand opening of TRON Lightcycle / Run where they announced a $100,000 donation to enhance STEM education in Orange County Public Schools. Disney also announced that they provided more than $6 million in grants to over 60 nonprofits and Walt Disney World cast members have volunteered 233,000 hours at local organizations through their Disney VoluntEARS program. Learn more about their initiatives and community efforts.

Visit Orlando Engaged!

BOMA Conference: This week, Orlando was the host location for The Building Owners and Managers Association‘s (BOMA) Southern Regional Conference. BOMA supports the professional and educational development of real estate owners and managers in Central Florida. Visit Orlando’s VP of sales and services for convention sales, Stephanie Naegele, welcomed the attendees and provided the current state of the travel and tourism industry at their opening educational segment.

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New Cirque du Soleil Acts: In advance of World Circus Day (April 15), Visit Orlando’s social media and public relations team members attended a press event, Drawn to Life presented by Cirque du Soleil and Disney. Our team viewed two performing acts—Icarian Games and Dream of Colors— and had the opportunity to interview cast and crew members of Cirque du Soleil. 
 
GMID Event: Orlando MPI celebrated Global Meetings Industry Day by continuing the conversation on the value that business meetings, trade shows, incentive travel, exhibitions, conferences and conventions bring to people, businesses and communities. The session provided attendees with tips to identify practical strategies to uncover hidden biases and facilitate inclusive interactions, and celebrated certified meeting planners' certification recognitions. During the event, Mike Waterman, Visit Orlando’s chief sales officer, presented the state of the tourism industry in Orlando to attendees.

Casandra Matej's photo and signature for Tourism Matters