This week, the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) celebrated the official groundbreaking of its Grand Concourse Expansion, a transformative $560 million project that will enhance the North-South Building with new meeting space, a grand ballroom and improved connectivity between concourses.

The expansion will add 44,000 square feet of meeting space and a 100,000-square-foot ballroom. Construction begins in early 2026 and concludes in 2029, creating more than 800 jobs and strengthening the Center’s ability to attract larger, more complex events.

For 10 years, Orlando has been named the No. 1 meetings destination in the U.S. by Cvent as a result of strategic investments and our community’s commitment to meet the evolving needs of planners and attendees. The Grand Concourse expansion is a shining example of how Orlando will continue to meet those needs in an increasingly competitive marketplace.

The OCCC already generates $4.6 billion in annual economic impact, hosting nearly 200 events and welcoming more than 2 million attendees each year. When groups meet here, the impact goes far beyond the convention center walls — supporting hotels, restaurants, attractions and businesses throughout our community.

This groundbreaking marks the beginning of a new chapter for our destination — one that ensures Orlando remains at the forefront of the meetings industry for years to come. And with this expansion, we’re better positioned than ever to attract high-quality events that fuel our economy.

Congratulations to the OCCC team. Visit Orlando looks forward to continuing our partnership to leverage the Grand Concourse and ensure Orlando remains the nation’s premier meetings destination.

Happy Holidays from Visit Orlando

As 2025 comes to a close, I want to take a moment to reflect and share my gratitude to our members, community partners, industry leaders and the entire Visit Orlando team. Your collaboration and dedication continue to drive meaningful economic impact for our region and create unforgettable experiences for millions of visitors. I'm especially thankful for the hospitality workers throughout the destination who will be welcoming guests and creating lasting memories over the busy holiday season.

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 blast creating it and spreading cheer in many languages, just like the residents who call Orlando home and the visitors who help make Orlando a global destination.

Tourism Matters will return on Jan. 9, 2026, with more insights and updates as we kick off an exciting new year together.

Data & Trends

Weekly Hotel Metrics

Metro Orlando’s hotel occupancy rate for the week ending December 13, 2025, was 72.8%, down 3.1% from the same week last year. Room night demand trailed last year by 1.2%. The average daily rate (ADR) for the week was $207.54, up 6.5% from last year. Orlando’s occupancy rate and ADR surpassed both the national and Florida averages.

Across the Industry

Orlando Wins U.S. City Destination in Travel Weekly Readers Choice Awards

For the second year in a row, Orlando has been named the Best U.S. City Destination in the Travel Weekly Readers Choice Awards, announced on Dec. 10 at a gala event held at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. The Readers Choice Award is a testament to Visit Orlando’s commitment to the trade and underscores our dedication to selling and marketing the destination. Voted by travel advisors, these awards represent the pinnacle of recognition within the travel trade, honoring excellence across airlines, cruise lines, hotels, resorts, travel agencies and destinations.

Elaine Blazys, Visit Orlando's vice president of travel industry sales, accepted the award on behalf of the organization. Visit Orlando continues to work closely with major consortiums, retailers and host agencies that generate thousands of room nights for our destination. Through in-person training and our best-in-class e-learning platform, the Orlando Travel Academy, we strengthen Orlando’s position among top producers and keep our destination front of mind for travel advisors worldwide.

Around the Destination

Orlando’s Bowl Season is Underway

Orlando kicked off bowl season on Dec. 17, with the StaffDNA Cure Bowl, and the excitement continues as fans from across the country head to our destination for two more marquee matchups at Camping World Stadium. These events showcase Orlando as a top sports destination and create opportunities to drive visitation.

Coming up:

• Dec. 27: Pop-Tarts Bowl – BYU Cougars vs. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (ABC, 3:30 p.m.)
• Dec. 31: Cheez-It Citrus Bowl – Texas Longhorns vs. Michigan Wolverines (ABC, 3 p.m.)

Visit Orlando’s “Come for the Game, Stay for More Fun” campaign encourages fans to turn game days into unforgettable getaways. Explore our landing page for planning tips and inspiration to make the most of this action-packed season.

CFHLA Hospitality Gala Celebrates Industry Leaders

The Central Florida Hotel & Lodging Association (CFHLA) held its 2025 Hospitality Gala on Dec. 13 at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Resort, bringing together hundreds of hospitality professionals to celebrate achievements and strengthen connections that drive our region’s tourism economy. This year’s gala honored the late David Siegel with the prestigious Charles Andrews Memorial Hospitality Award, recognizing his transformative leadership at Westgate Resorts and his lasting contributions to philanthropy and the Central Florida hospitality industry.

Additionally, Barb Bowden, Visit Orlando board chair and area managing director at Loews Hotels at Universal Orlando, and Chris Mueller, Visit Orlando board member and Hilton Orlando general manager, were honored during the program. The event served as a cornerstone for collaboration, highlighting 2025 successes and setting the stage for continued growth and partnership in 2026.

Don Quijote Awards Honor Leaders Driving Central Florida’s Growth

The 2025 Don Quijote Awards, held Dec. 13, celebrated Central Florida’s Hispanic leaders under the theme “Legacy in Motion,” recognizing individuals whose vision and determination strengthen our region’s economy and culture. Organized by the Hispanic Chamber of Metro Orlando and Prospera, the event spotlighted trailblazers shaping the future of business and community leadership.

Key honorees included Ramon Ojeda, executive director of the National Mango Board, who received the Lifetime Achievement Award for his influential role in Hispanic business leadership; Jennifer Evins, president and CEO of United Arts of Central Florida and a Visit Orlando board member, honored as Hispanic Community Champion for advancing arts visibility and board diversity; Rafael Caamaño, Professional of the Year for his leadership in innovation; and Carlos Torres, recipient of the Excellence Award for his service to the community.

Congratulations to all recipients for their outstanding contributions to Central Florida’s growth and cultural vibrancy.

Celebrating Eight Decades of Impact

Florida Citrus Sports marked a milestone in its 80th Cheez-It Citrus Bowl anniversary celebration with the launch of 80 Years of Impact, a commemorative book chronicling the organization’s enduring influence on Central Florida. The event, held Dec. 16 at the Orlando Public Library, featured remarks from AdventHealth’s Sharon Line Clary and a fireside chat moderated by Orange County Library System CEO Steve Powell. Joining the discussion were Florida Citrus Sports CEO Steve Hogan and veteran journalist George Diaz, co-author of the book. This celebration underscores the vital role sports play in shaping Orlando’s civic pride, fostering community connections and driving economic impact.

Visit Orlando Engaged!

Visit Orlando and Partners Host German FAM

Our team recently partnered with Universal Orlando Resort and Discover Airlines to host a familiarization trip (FAM) for product managers from leading German tour operators. In addition to immersive experiences at Universal Orlando Resort, the itinerary featured Cirque du Soleil, The Mall at Millenia — complete with a surprise visit from Santa — Topgolf and exploration in Winter Park, showcasing the destination’s diversity in addition to the theme parks. This FAM underscores the strength of our partnerships and our continued focus on driving awareness and future visitation from the German market.

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