It’s a time for celebration here in Orlando, as we enter our peak summer period and witness just how far we’ve come on the road to full recovery.  

Weekly hotel occupancy just set another post-pandemic record, Orlando is AAA’s No. 1 destination for July Fourth travel — with projected visitation equaling 2019 levels —  and, oh yeah, fireworks are back! (My family and I will be watching the night sky light up over Lake Eola. How about you?)  

Building on this momentum, I’m pleased to share that our “Wonder Remains” marketing campaign has directly generated 208,309 room nights booked, $27.9 million in hotel revenue and an estimated $79.2 million in total visitor spending.

The campaign is being extended into new markets through the second half of 2021, so expect even greater returns in the months ahead.  

As we celebrate the birth of our nation, and the rebirth of travel to Orlando, I hope you have a fantastic July Fourth weekend. 

Hotel Occupancy Eclipses 70% for First time Since Pandemic

For the week ending June 26, occupancy rose from 68.3% to 76.8%, marking a sixth consecutive week of growth and breaking Orlando’s post-pandemic record by more than 8 percentage points! 

Average daily rate rose $5.21 to $127.36 — the third time in five weeks it has eclipsed 2019 levels — and for the first time in over a year, revenue per available room ($97.86) was slightly higher than the same week in 2019.

This is also the first week since February 2020 that Orlando’s occupancy has surpassed Florida’s as a whole, evidence that travelers are returning to theme parks in larger numbers.

Visit Orlando Goes Viral 

A recent post to our TikTok account became a (surprise) viral success last week, reaching half a million views in just a couple days. Check it out by clicking the photo above. Posts like these — and similar efforts across our Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest channels — are a fun way to keep our destination top of mind and inspire future travel.

Visit Orlando LATAM Virtual Road Show 

Last week, our two-day virtual LATAM road show connected several Visit Orlando members with tour operators and travel professionals from Mexico, Colombia, Brazil and Argentina. The event included updates on safety, community collaboration and Orlando’s recovery, as well as 400 appointments with tour operators. Road shows allow us to stay connected with travel professionals in key overseas markets as we prepare for the return of international travel.

A Deeper Discovery of our Destination

Since starting as president and CEO of Visit Orlando five months ago, I’ve been fortunate to not only experience our destination as a consumer, but also with the perspective and partnership of fellow travel professionals and marketing executives. 

Over the past few weeks, I’ve done tours with the teams at Walt Disney World Resort, SeaWorld Orlando, Loews Hotels and other properties. I also continue to connect with local businesses and community leaders at events like the one pictured above (where Meeting Movers hosted Visit Orlando at TopGolf), as well as the Pride Chamber Golf Outing and Business Expo. 

I value these opportunities to gain input from the diverse, knowledgeable individuals serving Orlando’s tourism industry, and I look forward to forming more partnerships for the greater benefit of our destination. 

Welcome New Members 

Please join me in recognizing our newest members. These companies are committed to working with us to brand, market and sell our destination, and we welcome their engagement! 

Across the Industry

Watch: Visit Orlando presentation to the Tourism Development Council
 
Travel search terms on Google show scale of pent-up demand
 
Travel + Leisure charitable foundation announces scholarship program inspired by Harris Rosen

Long-awaited expansion begins for The Alfond Inn at Rollins
 
Air travel continues steady increase

Sesame Street parade returns at SeaWorld Orlando July 10 

First post-pandemic cruise ship from U.S. sails away

Orange County Convention Center hosts record-breaking AAU volleyball event

VMEA road trip spotlights Orlando

In your service,

Casandra Matej

Casandra Matej | President & CEO
Visit Orlando