To stimulate travel demand to Orlando in the first quarter, Visit Orlando launched a winter and spring advertising campaign Jan. 9 in the U.S. and Jan. 16 in Canada.

Remaining consistent with our "Unbelievably Real” brand creative, the new winter overlay campaign “Winter Doesn’t Exist” includes dynamic live weather feed billboards, high-impact out-of-home (OOH) advertising, digital displays and paid social.

The campaign is geared towards our out-of-state markets that are experiencing cold weather, with digital and paid social content running nationally and TV and OOH planed for New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Chicago, Detroit, Minneapolis, Washington DC, Atlanta, Dallas and Houston, and internationally in Toronto and Ontario.

Digital spectaculars give Visit Orlando prime billing in New York City at Times Square, Moxy Boston's Theater District, Wicker Park in Chicago, Dilworth Park in Philadelphia, Union Square in Washington DC, Centennial Park in Atlanta and Young-Dundas Square in Toronto.

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Award-Winning Organization

Visit Orlando was recently awarded Travel Weekly UK's 2023 Globe Travel Award for Best Tourist Board. The award is a great indication of Visit Orlando’s dedication to the UK and travel industry. We are thrilled to be celebrated for showcasing how Orlando is ”Unbelievably Real” while working with UK travel agents to enhance international visitation. Phil White, our travel industry sales director, accepted the award on behalf of Visit Orlando. 

U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board Appointment

Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced the appointments to the U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board (TTAB). I am honored to be selected and to represent Orlando, serving alongside more than 30 leaders from businesses and organizations in the domestic travel and tourism industry. TTAB members advise on how government policies and programs affect the travel and tourism industry along with offering counsel on current and emerging issues to support the sustainable growth of the travel and tourism industry.

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Helping Shape Future Tourism Leaders

Visit Orlando is proud to help create a pipeline of young, talented workers and mold the future leaders of our industry.

Recently, Orange, Seminole and Osceola County high school students participated in the annual Central Florida Career Academies Culinary Competition at the Walt Disney World Dolphin. More than 160 students competed in various culinary events, joined in chef demonstrations and learned about culinary arts and tourism careers.

In addition, Visit Orlando team members are helping with the Orange County Public Schools annual Hospitality Competition, held at UCF’s Rosen College. Eighty students from area high schools are competing in hospitality-related activities, and we’re proud to serve on the judging panels, fostering future hospitality workers along the way.

Hotel Metrics

For the week ending January 14, 2023, Metro Orlando occupancy was 70.4%, down slightly from last week but up 27.4% from last year. The average daily rate was $198, up 12.9% from last year.

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Around the Destination

ZORA! Festival: The 34th annual ZORA! Festival, held in historic Eatonville, will highlight various interactive events including dinners, discussions, exhibitions, a cooking course and more under the theme ”Spirituality via an Afrofuturism Lens.” View the full schedule.

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Visit Orlando Engaged!

We Serve: Earlier this week, our Visit Orlando team partnered with The Able Trust — the charity for Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining — to provide students at Cypress Creek High School with advice and guidance on resume writing, professional introductions, the vast hospitality career opportunities and so much more.

Casandra Matej's photo and signature for Tourism Matters