Big news this week for Orlando’s fine-dining restaurants! For the first time ever, The MICHELIN Guide will discover and celebrate culinary gems across Florida, starting in 2022.  

Thanks to a partnership between Visit Florida, Visit Orlando, Visit Tampa Bay and the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau, our state will be only the fifth U.S. destination Michelin has ever rated — New York, Chicago, California and Washington, D.C., being the others.  

Given the distinction Michelin-rated venues hold around the world, this is an incredible opportunity to raise our visibility on a global scale. 

Orlando’s dining scene has continued to evolve in both sophistication and diversity over the years. It’s exciting to see our nationally recognized chefs, international cuisines and plentiful options for every budget and taste be given the recognition they deserve. 

Dozens of state and national media outlets have covered the story — from Bloomberg and TimeOut to Smart Meetings, MSN and Eater — and we can’t wait to find out which Orlando restaurants earn their place among the stars. 

Read our press release here. 

Hosting Latin America Media Ahead of U.S. Borders Opening 

Visit Orlando has been promoting our destination in global news outlets for months — and with our borders opening to international travel next week, we’re ramping up the effort by hosting overseas media for destination orientations.  
 
This week, we welcomed a journalist from Colombia's national newspaper, Diario La Republica, and the resulting coverage will spotlight our theme parks, attractions, outdoor activities and wide variety of restaurants. We’re also working with Brazilian influencer and blogger Mari Vidigal, founder of Ideias na Mala, to prepare an itinerary that includes theme parks, attractions beyond the parks and a Magic game.  

EDC Festival Expected to Draw 85,000 Attendees Nov. 12-14

The world’s top dance-music artists are coming to Camping World Stadium Nov. 12-14 for the Electric Daisy Carnival, with total attendance expected to top 85,000. This EDC will also have the event’s largest physical footprint ever, with expanded and additional stages to honor the festival's 25 years of celebrating love, community and dance-music culture.

Around the Destination 

It’s been a busy week out in the community for Visit Orlando. First, we were honored to attend the vibrant opening event for Luces Y Sombras: Mexican Photography from The Bank Of America Collection late last week. Then we kicked off Monday with the “Orlando Welcomes the Brits Back” panel at The Grove Resort & Water Park (watch the discussion here) and picture-perfect weather for the African American Chamber of Commerce golf tournament at Legacy Club at Alaqua Lakes. 
 
The International Drive Resort Area Chamber of Commerce held its 50th Anniversary Annual Meeting on Tuesday — congratulations to board member Chris Mueller, general Manager of Hilton Orlando, for winning the chamber’s Harris Rosen Philanthropic Award — and on Wednesday we updated tourism-corridor law enforcement and security personnel on the state of our industry, followed by a fun familiarization tour of LEGOLAND Florida Resort. 

Last night I attended the opening of The City Beautiful: 50 Years of Developing Downtown, a fascinating new exhibit at the Orange County Regional History Center. And finally, this morning we attended the Rosen Academy of Hospitality & Tourism’s fall conference for high school students. It was a pleasure to help them explore potential career options in leisure and hospitality.  

World Research Summit for Hospitality and Tourism  

Don’t forget to register for the 6th World Research Summit for Hospitality and Tourism, Dec 14-15 at UCF’s Rosen College. I’ll be speaking at this virtual, interactive event, which features in-depth panel topics including sustainability and growth in tourism, data-driven decision-making and hospitality in healthcare. See you there! 

Weekly Hotel Occupancy

For the week ending Oct. 30, Metro Orlando hotel occupancy was 57.5%, unchanged from the prior week. Average daily rate rose 93 cents to $126.63. 

Across the Industry

CF News 13: Industry execs: British travelers plan Orlando trips soon 
 
Orlando Sentinel: Orlando’s ITEC Entertainment acquired by TAIT group 
 
TTG: Sunshine beckons (an interview with Casandra Matej)   

Orlando Sentinel: At last, an opening date for Dr. Phillips Center’s Steinmetz Hall
 
Homeland Security: Guidance for travelers to enter the U.S. 
 
WFTV: Orlando’s U.K. travel biz impact for 2022 projected at $765M

TravelPulse: Leisure and hospitality jobs continue to grow in October

USA Today: Canadian snowbirds ready to return to Florida for winter

Edge Media Network: LGBTQ+ Orlando: 4 days of grown-up play

In your service,

Casandra Matej | President & CEO
Visit Orlando