This week, Visit Orlando attended ANATO's Vitrina Turística — a leading industry trade show hosted by the Colombian Association for Travel Agencies and Tourism — held Feb. 25‑27 at the Bogotá International Center for Business and Exhibitions in Bogotá, Colombia.

This event is an important opportunity as Tourism Economics forecasts Colombian visitation to Orlando to grow by 4% in 2026 and direct seat capacity has increased 24% in the first quarter of this year, driven by expanded Spirit Airlines service from Bogota.

ANATO provides a valuable platform to educate travel advisors, connect with key travel buyers and showcase Orlando to markets familiar with and new to our destination. Across three days, we engaged with more than 240 industry professionals — including airline partners and 51 media — promoting Orlando’s diverse visitor experiences.

Together with Experience Kissimmee, Universal Orlando Resort and United Parks & Resorts, we kicked off ANATO by hosting a dinner event gathering key clients such as Copa and LATAM Airlines, representatives from U.S. Commercial Services, the president of ANATO Mayorita, Rocío Rodríguez and trade media. The event was an opportunity to strengthen relationships and reinforce the importance of the Colombian market to our destination.

In addition, Visit Orlando's public relations team hosted an interactive cooking and dining media reception, highlighting Orlando’s culinary scene. We introduced Visit Orlando’s first-ever destination cookbook, Orlando’s Kitchens: Recipes and Stories From Our Neighborhoods. Twenty media publications and content creators participated in preparing a three‑course meal using recipes from the cookbook. 
 
The team also conducted interviews with top Colombian media outlets, including Report News, La Republica, Publitur, El Tiempo, Fucia, Valora Analitick, as well as on-site interviews during ANATO with Noti América, CityTV, Proclama del Pacífico, Turismo Latam, Viaja por Colombia, Boom 360, Infobae, Portafolio and Ladevi.

Our marketing team met with key media partners and conducted a comprehensive assessment of the Colombian market landscape. We advanced strategic partnerships, identified high‑value placement and audience‑targeting opportunities, and engaged with major outlets including RCN and Caracol, two of Colombia’s most influential national broadcasters. Our team also met with leading online travel agencies and airlines to evaluate opportunities for deeper collaboration and expanded market impact.

Orlando Tops U.S. News Rankings

U.S. News & World Report, a nationally recognized publisher of consumer advice and information, recently awarded our destination with major distinctions.

Orlando was ranked No. 1 Best Family Vacation Destination in the U.S. for 2026, reflecting our region’s world‑class attractions, family‑friendly experiences and broad visitor appeal. The Best Vacations rankings evaluate more than 1,500 destinations using expert analysis and traveler input across multiple scoring categories to identify the top choices for different types of trips.

In addition, Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort was recognized as the No. 1 Best Hotel and No. 1 Best Resort in Walt Disney World, while also placing No. 4 Best Resort in Florida. Other Orlando‑area honorees include The Ritz‑Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes, which ranked No. 7 on the Best Resorts in Florida list.

Congratulations to all Orlando‑area winners, whose excellence helps elevate the experiences we deliver to millions of visitors each year and strengthens our destination’s long‑term success.

Data & Trends

Weekly Hotel Metrics

Metro Orlando’s hotel occupancy rate for the week ending Feb. 21, 2026, was 89%, up 8.3% from the same week last year. Room night demand surpassed last year by 9.4%, while the average daily rate for the week was $267.96, an increase of 12.6% from last year.

Last week’s hotel lodging performance was very strong due to Design & Construction Week returning to Orlando — bringing together the National Association of Home Builders International Builders’ Show and the National Kitchen and Bath Association Kitchen & Bath Industry Show at the Orange County Convention Center. This marked the highest weekly occupancy recorded for Orlando since Spring Break of 2022, with Monday through Wednesday reporting occupancy levels between 93-96%. 

Across the Industry

Current Travel Landscape: TSA Precheck & Global Entry

After briefly announcing plans to suspend traveler programs during the partial government shutdown, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has reversed course on TSA PreCheck, confirming the program remains operational as the shutdown enters its second week. The shutdown began Feb. 14, 2026, following a lapse in DHS funding.

What this means for travelers:

• TSA PreCheck — which allows approved travelers to move through airport security faster without removing shoes, belts, or laptops — continues to operate, though DHS says availability may vary airport by airport depending on staffing levels.
   
• Global Entry, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection program that expedites international arrivals through dedicated kiosks, has been suspended nationwide for the duration of the shutdown. Travelers returning from abroad must use standard customs lines.

DHS officials say PreCheck and Global Entry services will resume normal operations once funding is restored and the shutdown ends.

Learn more

Meeting Professionals International Board Meeting

Meeting Professionals International’s International Board of Directors recently convened for its governance meetings, bringing together the senior leaders responsible for setting MPI’s mission, strategic direction and oversight of the global association. Visit Orlando’s Chief Sales Officer Lisa Messina serves on the board and participated in the discussions as part of our ongoing partnership with MPI, which supports the strength and growth of Orlando’s meetings and conventions sector.

The MPI International Board plays a critical role in guiding industry priorities, advancing professional development and elevating standards across the global meetings community. Working closely with MPI allows us to stay aligned with emerging trends, support meaningful industry dialogue and help shape the future of business events — ensuring Orlando remains a leading destination for planners, attendees and the millions of visitors drawn to our world‑class conventions each year.

Around the Destination

Orlando Welcomes Historic ZIPAIR Flight From Tokyo

Orlando reached a historic milestone in global connectivity as Orlando International Airport (MCO) welcomed its first‑ever nonstop passenger charter flight from Tokyo’s Narita International Airport (NRT) on ZIPAIR — marking Florida’s first nonstop passenger charter service to the Asia‑Pacific region.

The four roundtrip flights will operate Feb. 28, March 5 and March 10, offering a direct option for business and leisure travelers seeking seamless connectivity between the Orlando and Tokyo regions. Leaders from both MCO and ZIPAIR anticipate the new charter service will help lay the foundation for future flights. As Florida’s busiest airport — ninth in the U.S. and 25th in the world — MCO is well positioned to welcome even more global travelers in 2026.

Visit Orlando attended the historic welcome event and remains a partner in the effort to recruit air service from the Asia‑Pacific region. This milestone reflects collaboration with MCO and ZIPAIR, tourism partners and our team, expanding Orlando’s global access and opening new opportunities to attract international visitors to our destination.

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Orlando Economic Partnership Hosts Annual BBQ in the Park

The Orlando Economic Partnership hosted its 2026 Barbecue in the Park, presented by VyStar Credit Union, on Feb. 25 at Luminary Green Park, bringing together more than 900 business and community leaders from across Central Florida for one of the region’s largest networking traditions. Attendees enjoyed live music, barbecue and the opportunity to connect with peers in an informal outdoor setting. Several Visit Orlando restaurant members participated in the barbecue including 4Rivers Smokehouse, Se7en Bites — represented by owner and Visit Orlando board member Trina Gregory — and Smoke & Donuts BBQ. Congratulations to City Barbeque, named Best in the Park as voted on by attendees.

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Visit Orlando Engaged!

Learning Ethical, Effective AI Practices in Public Relations

This week, the PRSA Orlando Chapter hosted a workshop titled Beyond the Hype: How PR Professionals Can Use AI Ethically and Effectively at Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida. The session explored how AI is already showing up in communications work, and where our professional judgment still matters most.

More than two dozen regional communications professionals shared practical ways AI can support everyday PR tasks like drafting, research, media monitoring and brainstorming. The discussion also covered important considerations around ethics, accuracy and maintaining trust and credibility. Real-time examples showed where AI can create efficiencies, and where human oversight remains essential.

Sessions like this help Visit Orlando stay current on the tools and trends shaping the communications industry so we can work smarter and stay responsible, while continuing to partner with media and influencers to tell authentic stories that inspire travel to Orlando.

In the News

Resident Magazine: Orlando's 2026 Black History Month: Celebrations, Arts, and Community Events

ConventionSouth: Building for the Future: Convention center development focuses on creating an experience inside and outside of the meeting facilities

Travel Weekly UK: What's new in Florida for 2026?