As 2024 comes to a close, I want to take a moment to reflect on the memories and milestones we've achieved together, and share my gratitude to our members, community partners, industry leaders and the entire Visit Orlando team. Your support, collaboration and dedication have been instrumental in helping us create economic benefit for our community.
I’m also grateful for the many hospitality partners who will be busy welcoming visitors over the next two weeks, in what we anticipate being a very busy holiday time. Hotel bookings for the holiday week between Christmas and New Years are pacing ahead of the 2023 holiday period.
Overall, we expect to end the year on a high note as December hotel demand levels are surpassing the same time last year.
On behalf of the entire Visit Orlando team, I wish you a happy, healthy and joyful holiday season!
Please take a moment to view our holiday card. We had a great time putting it together at LIVE! at The Pointe Orlando.
We will resume our next edition of Tourism Matters on Jan. 3, 2025.
Visit Orlando's Skate Night at Bryant Park in NYC
Visit Orlando's Winter-Themed Marketing Plans
To position Orlando top of mind during the holiday season and right in time for 2025 vacation planning, we have launched several winter-themed campaigns and activations in key markets both domestically and internationally. These initiatives are designed to highlight Orlando's warm weather and vibrant attractions, making it an ideal winter getaway. Our marketing efforts include:
Ads in Holiday Programming: Visit Orlando 30-second TV spots airing during high-visibility events, such as the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade on Nov. 28 and NBC's Christmas Rockefeller Center on Dec. 4 and will be broadcast on ABC's Christmas Day Parade on Dec. 25.
Dynamic Billboards: In select U.S. cold-climate markets, Toronto and Montreal, dynamic out-of-home billboards feature real-time weather feeds to showcase Orlando's warm temperatures.
Winter Village Activation: In partnership with VISIT FLORIDA, we are hosting a Winter Village Activation at the Toronto Distillery District from Nov. 13 to Jan. 3. This activation was highlighted on The Weather Network as well as media outlets, including TravelPress and OpenJaw.
Visit Orlando Skate Nights: At Bryant Park in NYC, we are organizing Visit Orlando Skate Nights (Jan. 9, Feb. 16 and Feb. 17) where skaters can experience Orlando-inspired treats, receive orange scarves and sunglasses, and have opportunities to win trips to Orlando.
UK Radio Sweepstakes: In collaboration with UK Heart Radio, we are launching a win-a-trip sweepstakes for a family to win a 5-night, 6-day trip to Orlando, with on-air radio presenters highlighting Orlando's attractions and sunny weather.
We are excited about the impact these campaigns will have on our brand visibility, visitor engagement and ultimately visitation.
Data & Trends
Metro Orlando’s hotel occupancy rate for the week ending Dec. 14, 2024, was 75.1% which was up 19.5% from the same week last year. The average daily rate for the week was $195.54 which was up 6% from last year. Room night demand surpassed prior year by 20.2%.
Across the Industry
Expedia Travel Shop
New Partnership with Expedia
As a key partner with Expedia, Visit Orlando was invited to participate as BETA partner on their innovative new Expedia Travel Shopfor social media influencers to promote and book hotels in Orlando. Expedia announced 100+ new Travel Shops curated by social media creators, tastemakers and brands with storefronts by popular influencers like Brett Conti, Renee Roaming and Oneika Raymond. Travel Shops are first-of-its-kind shoppable storefronts for creators to share and save their travel recommendations on the Expedia app. Visit Orlando is one of only four destinations invited to participate and the only U.S. destination included in the launch highlighting Orlando’s most popular social must-see accommodation options in the following categories:
Orlando’s Top Themed Hotels
Best Lazy River Resorts
Best Hotels with Fireworks Views
Best Hotels for Art Lovers
Orlando’s Best Golf & Spa Escapes
Around the Destination
A Busy Sports Season in Orlando: Orlando is becoming a top sports destination, with major events in 2025, including college football bowl games, the NFL Pro Bowl on Feb. 2, 2025, at Camping World Stadium, and international soccer exhibitions. The destination will also host the FIFA Club World Cup in the summer, drawing global fans to its top stadiums. Check Visit Orlando’s latest sports press release for information on teams playing in upcoming games: Orlando's Can't-Miss Sporting Events of Winter: Come for the Game, Stay for the Fun
Visit Orlando's Chief Marketing Officer Danielle Hollander joins Visit Orlando board members Evelyn Cardenas, President & CEO of the Central Florida Auto Dealers Association Inc., and John de Armas, President of Spectra Management; Laureen Martinez, APR, Senior VP, Communications, Marketing & Branding for the Orlando Economic Partnership; and industry professionals at the Don Quijote Awards.
Don Quijote Awards: On Dec. 14, the Hispanic Chamber of Metro Orlando and Prospera, a nonprofit focused on providing bilingual assistance to Hispanic entrepreneurs, hosted the 27th Annual Don Quijote Awards Gala at Epcot's World Showplace Pavilion. The awards honor businesses and individuals who embody the qualities of the legendary Don Quijote—visionary and courageous dreamers who take risks to achieve their goals and make a positive impact on Central Florida. Well done to the Hispanic Chamber of Metro Orlando for continuing this important tradition, and congratulations to all award winners, including Maritza Martinez-Guerrero, VP of external affairs and philanthropy for the Orlando Magic (Excellence Award), and Maritza Beltran, executive director of La Prensa Orlando (Lifetime Achievement Award).
Visit Orlando's board chair-elect and Area Managing Director at Loews Hotels at Universal Orlando, Barb Bowden, and Central Florida Hotel & Lodging Association (CFHLA) President & CEO Robert Agrusa stand with CFHLA Gala award recipients.
CFHLA Hospitality Gala: The Central Florida Hotel & Lodging Association (CFHLA) hosted its 2024 Hospitality Gala on Dec. 14 at the Loews Sapphire Falls Resort. The annual event brings together industry professionals, CFHLA members, sponsors and community partners to celebrate the incredible individuals and organizations that make Central Florida’s industry so exceptional. A special congratulations to the award recipients, including Mark Woodbury, Chairman & CEO of Universal Destinations & Experiences, on receiving the prestigious Charles Andrews Award for Community Leadership. It’s events like these that showcase the power of collaboration and the strength of Central Florida’s hospitality community. Learn more.
Visit Orlando Engaged!
Visit Orlando and Orange County Convention Center representatives attend IAEE’s Expo! Expo!
IAEE Expo! Expo!: Visit Orlando, in partnership with the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC), attended the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) Expo! Expo! in Los Angeles. IAEE is the leading association for the global exhibition industry, and its expo serves as a trade show and conference with a marketplace for buyers and sellers, along with a packed education schedule.
Visit Orlando and the Orange County Convention Center spearheaded an executive session where IAEE announced a new collaboration amongst five other industry organizations that serve the global tradeshow marketplace in advocacy and resources such as research, education and workforce development. The six organizations are known as the Exhibitions Industry Collective and is comprised of the Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance (ECA), Exhibition Services & Contractors Association (ESCA), Experiential Designers & Producers Association (EDPA), International Association of Exhibitions & Events (IAEE), International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM), and the Society of Independent Show Organizers (SISO). Insights and resources from this industry collaboration add additional value to Visit Orlando and OCCC’s partnership as we navigate the marketplace to remain the number one choice of trade show organizers globally.
Visit Orlando's Elaine Blazys, joins industry professionals—including Kevin Thibault, CEO of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, and Vicki Jaramillo, Executive VP and Chief Development Officer at Orlando International Airport (MCO)—at an event welcoming new Flair Airlines flights to Orlando.
New Flights to Orlando: Flair Airlines has launched a new route connecting Toronto and Orlando, marking the Canadian low-cost carrier's second service to the Florida destination. The airline will offer 11 peak weekly flights between Toronto Pearson International (YYZ) and Orlando International (MCO) through late April 2025. Flair is also set to introduce flights from London and Saint John in the coming days. With these new direct flights from Toronto, London, and Saint John, along with the recent addition from Kitchener-Waterloo, Flair are making it even easier for Canadians to travel to Orlando.
The Orlando International Airport (MCO) hosted an event to welcome new Flair Airlines flights to Orlando. Visit Orlando’s VP of Travel Industry Sales, Elaine Blazys, highlighted the importance of the new Canadian flights, as Canada is Orlando’s top international market. She emphasized the unique experiences available in the destination, mentioned Universal Orlando Resort’s new theme park, Epic Universe, opening in 2025, and thanked Flair Airlines for its partnership, noting that flights to secondary markets are key to driving growth from Canada to Orlando. Read more.
Visit Orlando’s VP of Marketing, Kathy Brown, Public Relations Senior Manager, Leo Salazar, Director of Community Relations & External Affairs, Kristin Westover, and Marketing Manager, Mellisa Alexander, join members of the LGBTQ+ World Pride Delegation and local leaders at a LGBTQ+ holiday dinner.
LGBTQ+ Holiday Dinner: Visit Orlando hosted an appreciation dinner for local LGBTQ+ leaders on Dec. 18 at Chima Steakhouse. The event celebrated collaborative efforts to support and promote events such as the 20th anniversary of the Come Out With Pride festival and parade, which drew a quarter of a million attendees, summer’s One Magical Weekend, GayDays, Girls in Wonderland, and programs from the Pride Chamber and Hope Community Center. During the dinner, our team emphasized our ongoing commitment to inspiring future travel to Orlando and strengthening ties with the LGBTQ+ community through the "Orlando for All" multicultural campaign.
