As a nonprofit membership organization, Visit Orlando includes over 900 member companies, large and small, across the tourism landscape. 

Going forward, to advance a crucial element of our strategic plan, we’re growing that number to feature even more small businesses, nonprofits and local points of interest such as neighborhoods, public parks and historical sites.

The goal is to expand the representation of Orlando’s many diverse, community-centric organizations by offering customized membership levels that can help funnel the enormous impact of tourism to all corners of our destination. 

Ivanhoe Park Brewing Company, which joined last month, is a prime example. This article in Brewer magazine shares how the company is leveraging its membership with Visit Orlando to tap new markets, like meetings and conventions. Thank you, IPBC, for this amazing testimonial!

In a similar vein, we’re enhancing our already strong promotion of areas beyond the traditional tourism corridors — think Winter Park, Winter Garden and Lake Nona — by exploring deeper connections with grassroots groups like Main Streets and downtown districts.

Through more inclusive membership efforts, it’s our hope to expose a greater segment of our community to the wide-ranging benefits of tourism, while strengthening Orlando’s economy in the process.

For more information about joining Visit Orlando, check out our membership website, download our membership brochure or email join@visitorlando.com

Representing Orlando in New York, Chicago and Sao Paulo

TM NYC Visit Orlando & Visit Florida

United States:
 Visit Orlando recently attended two of VISIT FLORIDA’s premier sales and media missions in New York and Chicago, connecting with dozens of journalists and travel professionals to keep our destination top of mind. Participants were eager to learn about what’s new across Orlando, from theme parks and attractions to unique neighborhoods, dining facilities and Orlando’s upcoming inclusion in the MICHELIN Florida Guide.

WTM Brazil

Brazil: Visit Orlando team members also traveled to Sao Paulo to participate in World Travel Market, the leading B2B global event for the Latin American travel industry. Our team met with hundreds of qualified tourism industry buyers, influencers and media outlets to demonstrate why Orlando is the top destination to visit.

Airport Image

Airport Ranks 7th in World for 2021 Passenger Traffic

Big news this week, as Orlando International Airport has, for the first time, cracked the list of the world’s top 10 busiest airports, registering 40.4 million passengers in 2021. While this number is less than our pre-pandemic high of 50.6 million in 2019, it does help show our destination’s recovery in relation to other markets. For context, MCO ranked 27th and 31st globally over the past two years — and the airport is expecting higher traffic this year as international and business travel return in greater numbers.

Industry Award Nominees

Visit Orlando and several of our member companies are nominees in the 2022 Stella Awards and Smart Stars awards, with voting open to the public. 

2022 Smart Stars Awards

Smart Stars: Visit Orlando is in the “Best CVB/DMO” category, while the Orange County Convention Center is up for “Best Convention Center” and “Best Hybrid Ready Venue.” Voting ends today

2022 Stella Awards

Stella Awards: Visit Orlando is nominated for the Best CVB/DMMO in the Southeast region, and multiple member companies are listed in other categories. Voting is open through May 13.

2022 Travel & Tourism Event

Register for Visit Orlando’s Travel & Tourism Event

Register today for Visit Orlando’s annual Travel & Tourism Event, May 5 at the Orange County Convention Center. The luncheon’s guest speaker is Roger Dow, president & CEO of the U.S. Travel Association. Our keynote panel of industry experts includes Peter Scott, CEO at American Academy of Optometry, and Jody Mosley, vice president of operations at Emerald Expositions. Trends and updates on the state of our industry will be provided by Chris Davidson, EVP of travel intelligence at MMGY Global, and Maria Henson, our director of market research and insights.

Hotel Metrics: Orlando No. 3 in Top 25 Markets

For the week ending April 9, Metro Orlando hotel occupancy was 81.7%, up from 75.7% the previous week and the third highest among the top 25 domestic markets after Tampa and Miami. Average daily rate rose $3.51 to $174.32, continuing to be higher than pre-pandemic levels (the same week in 2019 was $142.71).

Across the Industry

Cvent CONNECT & CFHLA Meeting

Cvent CONNECT 2022: Visit Orlando was well-represented in Las Vegas this week at Cvent CONNECT, where I was part of a panel discussion on “Hospitality CEO Insights” with Michael J. Deitemeyer of Aimbridge Hospitality and John Murray of Sonesta. Cvent brought together hundreds of meeting professionals where we showcased Orlando as the premier meetings destination in the country. 

Welcome Lunch for the new CEO of GOAA: On Monday, Visit Orlando welcomed Kevin Thibault, the new CEO of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, at lunch with community and industry leaders. The airport is such an important part of our destination’s success. 

CFHLA Monthly Meeting: On Wednesday, Visit Orlando hosted a meeting between Florida Sen. Victor Torres (who represents Osceola and southern Orange counties) and the CFHLA Government Affairs Committee. Thank you, Sen. Torres, for your availability to discuss issues important to Central Florida’s hotel and lodging industry. We appreciate your time and expertise.

In the News

Raleigh News & Observer: Charlotte, Orlando top list for new ACC headquarters

Travel & Leisure: A new Orlando hotel opens next month, and it's unlike any other spot in the city

Park Ave Magazine: New reasons to visit Orlando
 
Orlando Sentinel: Amway Center and Camping World Stadium saw a record-breaking March
 
Spectrum News 13: IAAPA President Hal McEvoy to retire in 2023
 
WFTV: Holocaust Memorial Center offers a sneak peek at its new Orlando facility

ILoveGay.Net: Orlando’s top spring and summer events for LGBTQ+ visitors

CNBC: Biden administration extends transportation mask mandate for 15 more days

Exhibit City News: Orlando celebrated Global Meetings Industry Day

 

Casandra photo and signature for TM