We are so fortunate to represent a destination that continues to invest in new developments that create new reasons to visit Orlando. Part of our role as the official marketing organization for Orange County is to ensure audiences in our key markets stay up-to-date on these exciting new updates. Your Visit Orlando team launched many initiatives in January to reach a variety of key audiences through several different mediums with our story of what’s new.
This week, we hosted a satellite media tour (SMT) to promote "What's New in 2025." We teamed up with Jeannette Kaplun, a bilingual travel and lifestyle expert, to conduct 25 live and pre-recorded TV segments—including four on Spanish-language news stations—across major cities, including New York, Chicago, Dallas, Atlanta and Miami.
Through the SMT, news outlets such as WJLA (Washington, DC), WJZY (Charlotte, NC), and WFLA (Tampa, FL) showcased Orlando’s newest attractions, including Universal Epic Universe, the return of the FIFA Club World Cup, and the city’s award-winning dining scene.
Additionally, we’re promoting "What’s New in 2025” across various channels, such as our consumer blog and social media channels, including an Instagram visual story—a new development where our story content can be found through a Google search. Even in the meetings and conventions industry, both earned media stories and owned channels are specifically aimed at new developments that meeting planners should know about.
By leveraging both traditional media and digital platforms, we’re ensuring that Orlando’s newest attractions and experiences reach a wide range of audiences and continue to inspire future visits.
Data & Trends
Weekly Hotel Metrics
Metro Orlando’s hotel occupancy rate for the week ending Jan. 25, 2025, was 77.2% down -1% from the same week last year. The average daily rate for the week was $216.35, up 4.3% from last year. Room night demand trailed the prior year by -0.6%.
Orlando Employment Report Summary
December 2024: The state labor report for December showed a small increase in the Orlando MSA’s overall employment from November’s report with the addition of 3,500 jobs (+0.2%). The December unemployment rate in the Orlando MSA fell to 3% from 3.5% in November and is lower than the Florida unemployment rate (3.1%).
The leisure and hospitality (L&H) sector in the Orlando MSA was essentially flat from November to December, gaining 100 jobs. The L&H sector remains at 104% of pre-pandemic (Feb. 2020) employment. Sectors within the Leisure and Hospitality industry:
- Food Services and Drinking Places fell -0.3% from November to December; the sector is currently at 102% of Feb. 2020 employment.
- Arts, Entertainment and Recreation grew 0.3% from November to December; the sector is currently at 114% of Feb. 2020 employment.
- Accommodations grew 0.3% from November to December; the sector is currently at 96% of Feb. 2020 employment.
January to December 2024: Total L&H sector grew 2% from 2023 to 2024. The sector’s 12-month average employment was 4% above 2019:
- Food Services and Drinking Places grew 1% from 2023 to 2024. The sector’s 12-month average employment was 5% above 2019.
- Arts, Entertainment and Recreation grew 4% from 2023 to 2024. The sector’s 12-month average employment was 9% above 2019.
- Accommodations grew 1% from 2023 to 2024. The sector’s 12-month average employment was -4% behind 2019.
Across the Industry
Global Cynergies Awards Visit Orlando Partner of the Year Recognition
Global Cynergies has recognized Visit Orlando with its USA Destination Partner of the Year Award for 2024. The award honors Visit Orlando’s consistent assistance and dedication to excellence. Global Cynergies helps its clients source and contract hotels and venues for offsite meetings and events worldwide. Congratulations to Aitza Diaz, Visit Orlando’s national business development account executive. This marks the second consecutive year that Visit Orlando, with Aitza representing the organization, has received this honor.
Around the Destination
Board Leadership For Destinations: A Symposium On Best Practices
This week, Orlando served as the host destination for the Board Leadership for Destinations: A Symposium on Best Practices at the Hyatt Regency Orlando. The Symposium is specifically for destination marketing CEOs and board leadership to explore and examine challenges ahead and identify potential solutions to ensure they're equipped to address these issues head-on.
The session concluded with a panel discussion highlighting how municipalities drive success by supporting their visitor economies. Moderated by Destinations International CEO Don Welsh, the panel featured Orange County’s Mayor Jerry L. Demings; Mayor John E. Dailey, City of Tallahassee, Florida; and Mayor Jeni Arndt, City of Fort Collins, Colorado. Each mayor shared insights on the critical role tourism plays in economic development, innovation, and community engagement. A special thank you to Mayor Demings for representing Orange County and sharing how our region continues to thrive as a global destination. Your leadership and commitment to supporting tourism are key to our collective success.
The Orange County Convention Center Hosts Preparedness Exercise
The Orange County Convention Center hosted a full-scale training exercise led by the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) in partnership with local first responders. This critical exercise, conducted in the West Concourse, provided a valuable opportunity to observe and learn how law enforcement, emergency responders, and community organizations work together to handle crisis situations effectively. Thank you to our members and partners who participated in this exercise, demonstrating their commitment to preparedness and collaboration. These efforts ensure our community remains ready to respond to any challenges, reinforcing safety and security.
Orange County Public Schools Culinary Competition
Visit Orlando is proud to continue its support of the Orange County Public Schools Culinary Competition, a vital program dedicated to nurturing the next generation of leaders in our industry. This year’s event, hosted at the Orange County Convention Center, brought together nearly 200 talented high school students from across Orange County. Students showcased their skills in a variety of culinary challenges, attended chef demonstrations, and explored exciting career opportunities in the culinary arts and tourism industry. This event is a shining example of how Tourism Benefits You, as our robust tourism industry propels student success by providing real-world experiences with guidance from first-class chefs. Thank you to the Visit Orlando members who participated and sponsored this impactful event.
Visit Orlando Engaged!
Orlando Set to Host NFL Pro Bowl Games
This weekend, our destination will host the NFL Pro Bowl Games at Camping World Stadium. This event celebrates the league's best players as they compete in a multi-day AFC vs. NFC competition with skills showdowns and a highly anticipated flag football game. It also features Eli and Peyton Manning who return as head coaches, a true highlight for fans of the game.
I had the opportunity to speak to ESPN.com along with Steve Hogan, CEO of Florida Citrus Sports, about how NFL Pro Bowl Games—and many of these major sports events—are three-tiered wins for our destination. They bring economic impact, give our residents events to enjoy and provide the destination broad visibility through broadcast exposure.
Discussing Hospitality & Tourism with Industry Leaders at ConnectDTO
The Downtown Orlando Partnership held the first session of the year for its leadership program, ConnectDTO, which helps engaged urban leaders become community champions through in-depth experiences. Class members participate in educational sessions, tours and small group discussions with city leaders.
Brandon Dodrill, Visit Orlando’s manager of membership, joined industry leaders from the City of Orlando, Home2 Suites and Hilton Garden Inn, Omnysa Inc., The Greenery Creamery and Sampaguita Ice Cream on a panel focused on hospitality. The discussion offered strategic insights into commerce, community, culture and catalytic movements in downtown Orlando. Brandon shared how Visit Orlando’s membership has grown over the past three years, with the addition of newly structured neighborhoods and local partner memberships that are more affordable for small businesses. In fact, Visit Orlando now has over 1,600 members, with 40% representing small businesses.
In the News
USA Today: Romantic things to do at Disney World: The ultimate list
Corporate & Incentive Travel: Florida: The sunshine state continues to set the hospitality standard
Miami Herald: Romantic Florida getaways: Top spots for couples
Mommy Poppins: New things coming to Orlando theme parks for 2025
