Orlando reached a new milestone in international travel this week. Orlando International Airport will introduce nonstop passenger charter flights to Tokyo, Japan, marking Florida’s first-ever direct connection to the Asia Pacific region.

Starting February 2026, ZIPAIR will operate four charter flights between Orlando (MCO) and Tokyo Narita (NRT), creating a brand-new gateway for cultural exchange, tourism and economic opportunity. This is more than a new route, it’s a powerful step forward in welcoming travelers from one of the world’s most dynamic regions.

This achievement reflects years of collaboration between Orlando International Airport, Visit Orlando, Disney and our Central Florida tourism partners. Collectively, we’ve worked to make this vision a reality, and now we’re opening the door to showcase Orlando’s world-famous theme parks, thrilling sports, vibrant culinary scene and rich cultural experiences to travelers across Asia.

Beginning in May 2024, Visit Orlando met with Shingo Nishida, ZIPAIR president and CEO, along with key executives in Orlando, showcasing the destination and all that Orlando offers to the leisure and business sectors.

This past summer, we connected again in Tokyo with Lance Lyttle, Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA) CEO, and Vicki Jaramillo, GOAA chief commercial officer. We engaged our in-market team, Aviareps, to begin B2B projects and also attended the Brand USA roadshow to connect with key tour operators and trade partners. To further educate the trade on our destination and help fuel their sales efforts, Visit Orlando's Orlando Travel Academy will launch in Japanese and Korean by the end of the year.

The announcement was made in Tokyo at the Hotel New Otani, where Disney executives, government representatives, tourism officials and media gathered to celebrate this historic launch. Tokyo has long been Orlando’s largest unserved Asian market, and this new service not only fills that gap, it positions Orlando as a leading global destination.

As we look ahead, this new connection supports Visit Orlando’s long-term vision to grow international visitation and strengthen our role as a gateway to unforgettable experiences. Together, we’re excited about what this means for our community, our partners and the future of tourism in Orlando.

Data & Trends

Weekly Hotel Metrics

Metro Orlando’s hotel occupancy rate for the week ending October 25, 2025, was 78.4%, up 6.3% from the same week last year. The average daily rate (ADR) for the week was $219.37, up 10% from last year. Room night demand surpassed last year by 8.2%. Orlando’s occupancy rate and ADR far surpassed the national and Florida averages which both saw year-over-year declines in occupancy. 

Across the Industry

Florida 500 List Recognizes Florida’s Most Influential Business Leaders

Florida Trend released its annual Florida 500 list, spotlighting the state’s most influential executives across key industries. It’s an honor to be included among this distinguished group of leaders who are driving innovation and shaping Florida’s future. Congratulations to our Visit Orlando board members who were also recognized: Barb Bowden of Loews Hotels at Universal Orlando, Karen Irwin of Universal Orlando Resort, and Tim Giuliani of the Orlando Economic Partnership. Your leadership and dedication continue to elevate our region and strengthen our community. This recognition reinforces the power of collaboration in driving Orlando, and Florida, forward. 

Future of Florida Forum

Visit Orlando’s director of external affairs and community relations, Kristin Westover, attended the Future of Florida Forum hosted by the Florida Chamber of Commerce. The two-day event brought together business and community leaders from across the state to discuss strategies for strengthening Florida’s economy and advancing the goals of the Florida 2030 Blueprint. The forum also highlighted tools like the Florida Scorecard, which provides statewide and county-level data to track progress on key economic and community indicators.

From workforce development and innovation to community prosperity, the forum emphasized collaborative efforts to position Florida as a top-10 global economy by 2030. According to the Florida Chamber Foundation, Florida now ranks as the 15th-largest economy in the world, with a gross domestic product exceeding $1.7 trillion. Visit Orlando remains a proud partner of the Florida Chamber and works with local chambers to advance the destination and support Florida’s long-term success.

Around the Destination

Join Us for Visit Orlando’s Year End Celebration!

As we approach the close of another successful year, we are pleased to extend an invitation to Visit Orlando’s Year End Celebration luncheon – a time to celebrate the season, reflect on the year’s achievements, and enjoy meaningful connections.

We are honored to be hosted by Walt Disney World® Resort, offering a truly magical setting for this year’s celebration. We are equally delighted to share that following the luncheon, Walt Disney World Resort is extending an exclusive opportunity to remain in the park as their guest to enjoy the festive holiday cheer of EPCOT® International Festival of the Holidays, presented by AdventHealth. A wonderful way to extend the spirit of the season and create lasting memories with your team and colleagues.

Orlando’s Culinary Scene Shines

Orlando’s culinary reputation continues to rise, with recent accolades placing our destination in the global spotlight. Robb Report — a luxury lifestyle publication known for curating the best in travel, food and design — named Capa at Four Seasons Resort Orlando one of the “9 Best Steakhouses in the World.” The article highlights the Spanish-influenced menu served with views of Disney fireworks.

Additionally, Trabucco at Hilton Orlando earned the No. 1 spot on Tripadvisor’s “Best Italian in Orlando.” Tripadvisor is a leading travel platform that aggregates millions of user reviews to help travelers discover top-rated experiences worldwide. These honors reflect the diversity of our restaurant community and the role culinary arts plays in Orlando. Visit Orlando continues to champion our destination’s food scene — working to elevate its perception and drive awareness of the exceptional talent and flavors found across Central Florida.

2025 Orange County Regional Economic Summit

Orange County Government hosted the 2025 Orange County Regional Economic Summit on Friday, Oct. 24, bringing together leaders, innovators and community stakeholders to explore “The Future of Economic Development.” The program featured a regional leadership panel, updates from the Orlando Economic Partnership, a keynote on innovation and a discussion on the future of transportation. Leaders including Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings, City of Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and officials from Seminole and Osceola counties emphasized collaboration on regional transportation, housing affordability, homelessness and potential changes to property taxes. Watch the full event here.

Visit Orlando Engaged!

Visit Orlando Showcases AI Leadership at Conference

The Association of National Advertisers held its 2025 Masters of Marketing Conference at Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando from Oct. 21–24, bringing together thousands of top marketing leaders to explore strategies for accelerating brand and business growth. Visit Orlando’s Vice President of Digital & Data Strategy Tim Megginson was a featured speaker for his role on ANA’s AI Leadership Council — a group of approximately 25 professionals shaping the future of AI in marketing.

Tim joined Universal Destinations & Experiences’ TJ Jana to lead a session titled Marketing Epic Destinations in the AI Era, highlighting how generative and agentic AI are transforming the traveler journey. From pre-trip planning to post-visit engagement, destination marketing organizations like Visit Orlando are leveraging data, agility and innovation to adapt traditional methods and meet evolving consumer expectations. The interactive session offered attendees practical insights and cutting-edge strategies to accelerate their AI and MarTech ambitions.

Orlando Welcomes Brazilian Media

To strengthen our reach in one of Orlando’s top international markets, Visit Orlando recently hosted a group of Brazilian journalists representing Folha de S.Paulo, Porta de Embarque (UOL), Melhores Destinos and Crescer — some of Brazil’s most influential outlets for a press trip. From restaurants and attractions to scenic tours, cultural gems and shopping, the itinerary highlighted the diverse experiences that make Orlando a top destination. Press trips are invaluable for building destination awareness, strengthening media relationships and driving earned coverage that inspires visitation, helping keep Orlando top of mind for international audiences.

Sharing What’s New at Nashville Travel Media Meetup

Dipika Hernandez, Visit Orlando’s public relations senior manager, attended the Nashville Travel Media Meetup, a dynamic networking event hosted by Pineapple Public Relations in affiliation with the Southeast Tourism Society. The meetup connects destinations with journalists, producers, influencers and content creators for one-on-one conversations about story ideas and media needs. Dipika shared what’s new in Orlando for 2026, including updates on theme parks, attractions, restaurants, hotels, resorts and the city’s diverse neighborhoods. The event helps destinations expand their reach, build relationships that lead to media coverage and increase visibility in key markets.

Visit Orlando Hosts Monster Jam Event To Celebrate Halloween

This week, Visit Orlando marked its annual Halloween tradition, the Monster Jam event. Team members, families and friends joined the fun in costume, exploring themed trick-or-treat stations, testing their intuition with guessing games such as “Bowl of Intuition” and “Find the Hidden Monsters,” and showcasing their artistic flair in a pumpkin-decorating contest that crowned the most boo-tiful creation. From characters representing each world of Universal Epic Universe to princesses from Walt Disney World, many costumes brought Orlando’s attractions to life. The event was a spirited reminder of one of Visit Orlando’s core values, We Orlando!

See more photos from the celebration:

In The News

National Geographic: One of the world's oldest theaters has closed. Here's where to visit instead

USA Fencing: October 2026 NAC coming to Orlando, Florida

Only In Your State: Ultimate Orlando itinerary day 1: luxury villas, Beer Spa bliss & the world’s largest McDonald’s

Panrotas (Brazil): Orlando parks and attractions host training morning at BTM 2025 — see photos