At Visit Orlando, press trips are a key element of our public relations strategy. By hosting journalists and influencers from around the world, we provide opportunities to experience our destination firsthand, generating authentic third-party endorsements.
Our success lies in storytelling and collaborating with the right media to highlight why Orlando is the perfect destination for travelers.
This year, we’ve hosted 52 individual press trips and 10 group trips with media from the U.S., U.K., Canada, Brazil, Mexico and Colombia, resulting in over 350 stories.
Through these trips, we’ve introduced journalists to our vibrant neighborhoods, world-class attractions and diverse dining and entertainment offerings to drive earned media coverage. Our goal is for writers and influencers to leave with a fresh perspective, creating stories and content that showcase our diverse offerings to their readers and followers to keep Orlando on their list for their next vacation, generating many benefits for our community.
Key examples include:
Food & Wine: Where-to-stay, where-to-eat and things-to-do options.
Miami Herald: A “grown-up’s guide to Orlando,” encourages regional visitors to rediscover the city.
Dallas Voice: Orlando was called “the model of doing it right,” reinforcing our inclusive destination following a global LGBTQ+ press trip.
Colombia’s El Tiempo: Highlighted theme parks, fine dining and culture, appealing to an adult audience.
Brazil’s Claudia: Produced a five-page feature on cultural offerings, dining and walkable neighborhoods.
Toronto Sun: Orlando as the ultimate girls’ weekend destination.
UK-based LADBible Group: Showcased the quirky side of Orlando, amassing 1.4 million views in 48 hours.
Brazilian influencers with millions of followers, like Carolixas and Cacá Filippini, showcased how visitors can come for a sports game and stay for the fun.
Relief Efforts & Resources: Hurricane Helene
While we're thankful most of our region was largely spared by Hurricane Helene, there are many in other areas in need. To support Florida's west coast communities or out-of-state impacted areas, here is a list of CFF-vetted organizations that are accepting donations to support in disaster relief. Visit Community Crisis Hub | Central Florida Foundation (cffound.org) for information and resources to help communities impacted. You can also email Nicole Donelson at ndonelson@cffound.org or call 407-872-3050 x123.
Visit Orlando Earns Meetings Today Recognition
Visit Orlando has been named a winner in the Best South CVBs/DMOs category for the 2024 Best of Meetings Today Awards by Meetings Today! This annual recognition highlights top meeting facilities and destination marketing organizations (DMOs) across North America and beyond. The winners were selected via voting by Meetings Today’s audience and a review by its content team. The Orange County Convention Center took home a win in the Best Convention Centers category and several destination hotels and resorts were recognized in the Best South Hotels category. They include:
Caribe Royale Orlando
Conrad Orlando
Disney's Coronado Springs Resort
Disney's Yacht & Beach Club Resort
Evermore Orlando Resort
JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes
Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate
Rosen Shingle Creek
The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes
Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin
We’re so proud of our destination’s world-class meeting spaces which are used to create unforgettable events and unique experiences only in Orlando. Read more.
Data & Trends
Metro Orlando’s hotel occupancy rate for the week ending September 28, 2024, was 66.4%, which was up 0.4% from the same week last year. The average daily rate for the week was $185.24, up 5.1% from last year. Room night demand surpassed the prior year by 1.2%.
Across the Industry
World Travel Awards: The Orlando destination has been selected as a World nominee, the highest category in the 31st annual World Travel Awards 2024. This award nomination brings global recognition to the destination in the travel and tourism industry. The categories include:
World's Leading City Break Destination 2024: Orlando, Florida, USA
World's Leading Theme Park Destination 2024: Orlando, Florida, USA
Voting is now open and runs until midnight on October 20, 2024.
Around the Destination
Visit Orlando’s President & CEO Casandra Matej and Visit Orlando Board Members Karen Irwin (President & COO, Universal Orlando Resort); Kevin Thibault (CEO, Greater Orlando Aviation Authority) and Mark Tester (Executive Director, Orange County Convention Center).
50 Most Powerful People of 2024 In Orlando: This week, Orlando Magazine named the 50 Most Powerful People of 2024 in the tourism and transportation category, and I‘m honored to be in good company. The list highlights local leaders who make “Orlando 'The City Beautiful'—a great place to live, work, play, and visit.” It also recognizes individuals in politics & government, education, entertainment, sports & the arts, philanthropy & community voices and business. Congratulations to Visit Orlando board members Karen Irwin (President & COO, Universal Orlando Resort), Kevin Thibault (CEO, Greater Orlando Aviation Authority) and Mark Tester (Executive Director, Orange County Convention Center) for being recognized in the tourism category as well.
Visit Orlando Engaged!
Visit Orlando’s President & CEO Casandra Matej and Visit Orlando’s meetings & conventions sales team at Pinstripes.
Sales Team Meeting: Visit Orlando’s meetings and conventions team met for a planning session at Pinstripes focused on attracting and hosting top-tier events and conventions in Orlando. The team collaborated and brainstormed ways to further improve our offerings and enhance client satisfaction. It was a week of productive discussions, setting the stage for future success. This included bringing our regional sales team to Orlando for learning as an entire team.
Prestige Global Meeting Source FAM: Visit Orlando recently hosted a three-day familiarization (FAM) tour for eight Prestige Global Meeting Source planners. The group experienced Orlando's world-class offerings, with a stay at Evermore Resort and visits to Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Orlando Resort. They also toured venues, including Four Seasons Resort, Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress, Hyatt Regency Orlando, JW Marriott & Ritz-Carlton Orlando Grande Lakes, JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek, Signia by Hilton Bonnet Creek and Waldorf Astoria. By providing a firsthand experience of Orlando's venues and attractions, Visit Orlando aims to inspire these planners to promote our destination to their clients. This strategy is already paying off, with six planners currently sourcing Orlando for upcoming events, which helps drive significant meeting and convention business to the region.
Visit Orlando’s Phil White and Thao Tran, Avia Reps with representatives from SeaWorld Orlando, the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex and Booming Performance, a training company.
Orlando Uncovered Roadshow: Visit Orlando’s travel industry sales team brought Orlando’s sunshine to the UK through the Orlando Uncovered Roadshow, sharing the latest updates and upcoming attractions with over 300 travel professionals. The event took place in Bristol, Birmingham and Leeds, with representatives from Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Team members also visited one of the UK’s largest ticket providers, Attraction World, to deliver product training to their staff. These roadshows help strengthen relationships with UK trade partners, ensuring they have the knowledge and tools to promote our destination.
L to R: Raphael de Lucca, Copa Airlines; Juliana Marinotti, Kennedy Space Center; Claudia Guerra, Kennedy Space Center; Andrea Dias, Kennedy Space Center; Victor Manjarres, Kennedy Space Center and President at TM Americas; and Visit Orlando’s Patrick Yvars
Orlando Uncovered Roadshow: Visit Orlando’s travel industry sales team brought Orlando’s sunshine to the UK through the Orlando Uncovered Roadshow, sharing the latest updates and upcoming attractions with over 300 travel professionals. The event took place in Bristol, Birmingham and Leeds, with representatives from Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Team members also visited one of the UK’s largest ticket providers, Attraction World, to deliver product training to their staff. These roadshows help strengthen relationships with UK trade partners, ensuring they have the knowledge and tools to promote our destination.
