This year, we’re celebrating Black History Month by showcasing our destination’s rich history—as well as highlighting historic neighborhoods, restaurants and events that honor Black heritage through special programs, exhibitions and valuable partnerships.
On Feb. 1, we began a collaboration with iHeart for a custom sponsorship featuring select iHeart stations’ Black History Month and Black Music Month promotions. The campaign includes custom sponsorship spots on terrestrial radio for What Black History Means to Me and Black Music Month, host-read podcast spots on Strawberry Letter and Therapy for Black Girls, and video pre-roll ads targeting African American women ages 25-54 with children.
This campaign will reach national audiences through streaming and select stations in key metro areas, including New York, Atlanta, Washington D.C., Chicago, Philadelphia, Houston and Dallas. The African American traveler is a strategic audience within our multicultural strategy, and this sponsorship aims to enhance our visibility and engagement with this important demographic.
Visit Orlando‘s ’The Black Travel Guide: Orlando,‘ with travel expert Kellee Edwards.
We’ve also been working to highlight Black History Month celebrations across our destination through Visit Orlando’s social platforms, consumer blog and calendar of must-visit events and businesses. These include month-specific and year-round activities at Black-owned restaurants, historic sites and museums that honor African American culture and heritage. Some featured events include Black History Month at Walt Disney World® Resort, the opening reception for the Florida Highwaymen Collection at the Orange County Convention Center and more.
Additionally, your Visit Orlando team has highlighted Orlando’s rich African American history and cultural influences through several videos on YouTube. They were created in partnership with Black leaders, including Ericka Dunlap, Orlando native, 2004 Miss America and the first Black woman to be named Miss Florida, as well as Travel Expert Kellee Edwards and the Orlando Magic community ambassador Bo Outlaw:
By embracing these unique experiences, you will gain a deeper appreciation for the vibrant legacy that shapes Orlando. We encourage you to explore Orlando’s historic sites, cultural events and Black-owned businesses.
Data & Trends
Metro Orlando’s hotel occupancy rate for the week ending Feb. 8, 2025, was 79.1%, up 6% from the same week last year. The average daily rate for the week was $228.75, up 2.8% from last year. Room night demand surpassed the prior year by 6.5%. Orlando’s occupancy ranked third highest among the top 25 domestic markets according to STR.
As expected, MegaCon resulted in a very strong lift in hotel demand over the weekend with Friday and Saturday recording a combined 86.1% occupancy rate.
Across the Industry
L to R: Casandra Matej, Visit Orlando’s president and CEO, and the late Senator Geraldine Thompson
Remembering Senator Geraldine Thompson: A Leader Who Helped Shape Central Florida
We are deeply saddened by the passing of Senator Geraldine Thompson, a dedicated leader who made a lasting impact on Central Florida. Senator Thompson was a champion for the preservation of our local African American culture, leading the establishment of the Wells’Built Museum of African American History and Culture in Orlando. We honor her legacy and are grateful for her years of service, leadership and commitment to our community.
Florida Chamber's Annual Event Highlights Business Priorities for 2025
Visit Orlando is a proud member and partner of the Florida Chamber of Commerce, which recently hosted its annual event, bringing together CEOs and executives from diverse industries across the state. Attendees explored Florida’s evolving economic and legislative landscape, gaining insights into priorities shaping the 2025 Legislative Session.
A key highlight was the release of Where We Stand 2025, the Chamber’s annual Florida Jobs and Competitiveness Agenda. This initiative aligns with the Florida 2030 Blueprint, a long-term vision to position Florida as the 10th largest global economy. Focus areas include mental health leadership, workforce housing, insurance cost reductions, infrastructure investment, and economic development strategies.
Additionally, the Florida Scorecard™ remains an essential resource, offering real-time data to track key economic and business metrics across the state.
To learn more about these initiatives and how they impact Florida’s business community, visit:
Lisa Messina, Visit Orlando’s chief sales officer; Tim Giuliani, president and CEO of the Orlando Economic Partnership; Jason Seigel, president and CEO of the Greater Orlando Sports Commission; and industry professionals with MVP Jalen Hurts, quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles, at the Walt Disney World Super Bowl LIX parade.
Walt Disney World's Super Bowl LIX Parade with MVP Jalen Hurts
Walt Disney World hosted the Super Bowl LIX parade on Feb. 10, with MVP Jalen Hurts, the quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles, leading the way. The parade down Main Street was a big moment for locals and travelers, as it’s always exciting to see players from the iconic “I’m going to Disney World” commercial.
The Blue Man Group
Discover Unforgettable Experiences at IMMERSE 2025 in Downtown Orlando
IMMERSE 2025 will take place in downtown Orlando from Feb. 21-23, spanning 10 city blocks with live performances, immersive art installations and unexpected creative moments. Created by Creative City Project and presented by Advent Health, the festival offers something for everyone. Highlights include interactive art at the IMMERSE Art Park, gravity-defying acrobats, the Blue Man Group and a special viewing area for the daytime fireworks show at Lake Eola on the final day. Purchase tickets.
Help Shape the Future of Transportation in Central Florida
With 1,000 people added to our region’s population every week, now is the time to plan for the future of transportation in the Orlando region. What’s your vision for the year 2050? MetroPlan Orlando—the metropolitan planning organization for Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties—wants your input to ensure the 2050 Metropolitan Transportation Plan reflects the community’s needs and values. Take just two minutes to share your thoughts in the quick survey. Your feedback will help guide how our region’s transportation system grows, evolves and connects over the next few decades. Let’s drive Central Florida into the future together. Take the survey now.
Visit Orlando Engaged!
A Visit Orlando representative speaks to media at TravelMedia’s Meet the Media event in Dublin, Ireland.
Visit Orlando Attends Dublin Media Marketplace
Visit Orlando’s public relations team attended TravelMedia’s Meet the Media event on Feb. 10 in Dublin, Ireland—an important target market for Orlando. The event, attended by over 100 of Ireland’s top travel editors, writers and content creators, gave Visit Orlando the opportunity to share the latest news and unique story ideas to enhance the appeal of Orlando in the Irish market.
Key topics included showcasing Orlando’s family-friendly appeal, new openings, dining, value for money, travel for adults without children and a broad overview of everything the destination offers, both inside and outside the theme parks. Meetings were held with key outlets such as the Irish Daily Mail, Irish Times and Sunday Times Ireland, each likely leading to press trip opportunities in 2025.
Visit Orlando’s global marketing committee.
Visit Orlando's Global Marketing Committee Meeting
This week, Visit Orlando's global marketing committee convened at the Kia Center to exchange ideas and perspectives on the travel and tourism industry for its first of four quarterly meetings this year. This group acts as a strategic thought partner to Visit Orlando’s professional team, aiding in the development and execution of programs across marketing, brand integration, social media, content, communications, and digital marketing to align with the organization’s strategic direction.
During the meeting, the group updated brand health insights with Maria Henson, Visit Orlando’s senior director of research and insights, and addressed key issues such as the impact of tariffs on the industry. The meeting culminated in a brainstorming session focused on ways to enhance Orlando's reputation as a major sporting destination and hub for arts and culture.
Visit Orlando’s new global communications committee.
Visit Orlando launched a new communications committee composed of members from across the destination who specialize in communications and public relations. The first meeting aimed to establish a solid foundation about Visit Orlando and its programs. Discussions centered on pressing issues like inflation and tariffs, as well as potential future topics such as artificial intelligence (AI) and influencer engagement.
L to R: Kerstin Buhr, Visit Orlando’s German representative, and Phil White, Visit Orlando’s travel industry sales director.
Orlando Featured at Switzerland Trade Event
Orlando was the featured destination at a recent trade event in Zurich, Switzerland. 'Island Hopping,' Visit USA Switzerland’s signature event, drew 200 travel professionals from local and Southern German agencies. Visit Orlando delivered a keynote presentation on the destination and conducted eight training sessions for travel advisors on “What’s New for 2025.”
