As we continue to advocate for a stronger, more resilient travel industry, I want to highlight recent developments from the U.S. Travel Association that reflect both the progress and challenges ahead. Their latest update offers a clear-eyed view of the policy wins we’ve achieved — and the work that still needs to be done to protect our competitiveness and traveler experience.
The past few weeks delivered hard-fought wins for the travel industry — targeted investments in air traffic control, new funding for customs officers and long-overdue TSA reforms. These victories came with tradeoffs, one being higher visa fees, decreasing U.S. competitiveness.
Driving TSA Reforms:
On July 8, 2025, Secretary Noem ended an outdated rule, announcing that travelers can now keep their shoes on during TSA screening — a shift that cuts wait times and reflects the traveler-focused leadership the industry needs.
This week, the Secretary signaled even more progress: advancing screening technology to ease liquid restrictions. U.S. Travel has long advocated for this type of action, most recently in the Commission on Seamless and Secure Travel’s report, and will continue pushing Congress to fund the technologies that provide travelers with the experience they deserve.
Tracking Warning Signs for U.S. Travel:
The latest travel data snapshot offers a first-half read of 2025: international visitation is down 3.4% — primarily driven by Canada’s steep 19% decline — while Mexico is up 13% and overseas markets are generally flat. Meanwhile, domestic travel spending remains stable despite economic uncertainty.
U.S. Travel is tracking key indicators, some of which show early warning signs: spending declines by less affluent travelers, increasing business travel restrictions, national park visits declining for five straight months — down nearly 10 million visitors to date — and air passenger volume dipping nearly 1%. Use this data to stay grounded in what’s happening, make smarter decisions and tell a sharper, more confident story. The July messaging guide is designed to help you do the same.
These insights from U.S. Travel are a powerful reminder of why our collective voice matters. Let’s continue to stay informed, advocate boldly and lead with purpose as we shape the future of travel together.
Data & Trends
Weekly Hotel Metrics
Metro Orlando’s hotel occupancy rate for the week ending July 19, 2025, was 73.1%, down 0.7% from the same week last year. The average daily rate for the week was $180.31, up 3.8% from last year. Room night demand surpassed last year by 1.2%.
Around the Destination
Orlando City SC Earns Golden Matrix Award for Best-in-class Matchday Experience
Orlando City SC was recently honored with its first-ever Golden Matrix Award at the annual Information Display and Entertainment Association IDEA Conference — a prestigious recognition from industry peers for excellence in event presentation. The award celebrates the artistic, entertainment and technical quality of the club’s matchday programming and reflects its ongoing commitment to delivering a best-in-class fan experience at Inter&Co Stadium. This achievement reinforces Orlando’s reputation as a premier destination for sports and entertainment. Congratulations to the entire Orlando City SC team on this well-deserved honor.
Reminder: Protect Pets from Extreme Heat!
With soaring temperatures, it's vital to remember that our pets are highly susceptible to heat, especially visitors who might be unfamiliar with the weather. Leaving pets in parked cars, even for a few minutes, can result in dangerous, even fatal, conditions. The temperature inside a car can rise rapidly, reaching life-threatening levels in minutes. Orange County Animal Services has created a flyer to raise awareness. We encourage you to display the flyer in your venues and help spread the word. Let’s work together to ensure the safety and well-being of our furry friends!
Visit Orlando Engaged!
Visit Orlando’s U.K. Sweepstakes Drives 43.7M Impressions and Delivers Memorable Guest Experience
This month, Visit Orlando welcomed Daniel Libby, the winner of our first national radio sweepstakes in the United Kingdom, to Orlando. The sweepstakes promotion was part of the “Winter Doesn’t Exist” TV, digital display and social campaign, strategically timed to inspire travel planning ahead of the competitive January booking season. The sweepstakes overlay generated 43.7 million impressions, with 84 co-branded content trails, and 20 live reads across Heart Radio programming — solidifying Orlando’s visibility during a key travel planning window.
In partnership with Heart Radio, the U.K.’s largest commercial radio network, the sweepstakes aired Dec. 9–22, 2024, offering listeners a chance to win a family vacation to Orlando. Daniel was announced live on Dec. 23 and traveled to Orlando this July with his wife and two children to celebrate his wife Angela’s 40th birthday. The family extended their stay and expressed deep appreciation for the experience. Visit Orlando also surprised Angela with a personalized video book featuring messages from family and friends, along with a birthday greeting from the marketing team.
Visit Orlando Joins the Disney Meetings & Events Media Showcase
Members of Visit Orlando’s convention marketing and communications team recently participated in the Disney Meetings and Events Media Showcase at Walt Disney World Resort. This immersive experience offered a behind-the-scenes look at how Disney helps meeting professionals create unforgettable events—from themed breakfasts to high-tech production capabilities.
Attendees, including representatives from top meetings trade publications like Smart Meetings, Meetings Today and Prevue, toured the Disney Creative Studio, a one-stop hub for event design, entertainment, décor, floral, audiovisual and catering. Highlights included a villains-themed “Spell-Tacular” breakfast at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and a Star Wars-inspired lunch experience at Disney’s Yacht Club Convention Center. These firsthand insights help us better position Orlando as the premier destination for innovative and engaging meetings and events.
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