Visit Orlando kicked off Pride Month on June 1 with a national partnership with BuzzFeed, a leading digital media platform, to highlight Orlando as a welcoming destination for LGBTQ+ travelers and their families. The effort is part of our ongoing “Orlando for All Campaign” supporting our broader goal of inspiring travel while reinforcing what makes our destination inclusive year-round. LGBTQ+ visitors represent approximately 7% of the total domestic visitation to Orlando bringing an estimated $4.6 billion in economic impact annually.
The campaign centers on the Esquivel family, a two-mom household experiencing Orlando together. Through their story, audiences see moments across our destination, including theme park attractions, a resort stay, an Orlando Pride soccer match and a visit to an LGBTQ+-owned restaurant, Se7enbites.
The campaign is complemented by additional content around Pride Month stories and events in the blog post “Keep Dancing: Pride Month & Pulse Remembrance Events,” which highlights the history, events and community stories that shape Pride Month in Orlando. Signature events including GayDays, One Magical Weekend, Girls in Wonderland and The Pride Cup, along with Pulse remembrance tributes and LGBTQ+-owned businesses, continue to define our destination’s offerings.
One of the events featured is the the KindRED Pride Foundation’s Pride Cup From June 5-7, bringing LGBTQ+ athletes and allies together for a multi-sport competition.
Teams travel from across the U.S. and internationally to compete in golf, soccer, volleyball, kickball, basketball, rugby, cornhole and pickleball. Designed to promote inclusion through sport, the event welcomes participants of all skill levels and connects visitors to Pride weekend experiences, including RED Shirt Pride Day at Magic Kingdom®. In fact, Visit Orlando will have a team of four participating.
Together, these Pride Month initiatives are important components of Visit Orlando’s ongoing commitment to connecting with diverse communities and advancing our vision to be the most visited, welcoming and inclusive destination in the world.
2026 Sportys Awards Honorees
On June 17, the Greater Orlando Sports Commission will present their 2026 SPORTYS awards. It is a privilege to be recognized alongside Maria Triscari, Visit Orlando board member and president and CEO of the International Drive Resort Area Chamber of Commerce, among Central Florida’s top industry leaders.
The annual SPORTYS honor sports business professionals whose work helps position our region as one of the country’s premier sports destinations. The annual program recognizes leaders across multiple categories whose contributions drive economic impact, elevate major events and strengthen the visitor economy.
It’s a huge honor to be recognized with the Chairman’s Award of Excellence, I look forward to accepting the award on behalf of the entire team at Visit Orlando.
Maria will receive the Sports Tourism Alliance Award, as she has spent more than three decades helping shape the International Drive corridor into one of the country’s premier tourism districts while advocating for key regional initiatives and supporting the growth of sports tourism.
You can tune into the show on WKMG’s ClickOrlando.com website at 7 p.m. on June 17.
Data & Trends
Weekly Metrics
Metro Orlando’s hotel occupancy rate for the week ending May 30, 2026, was 65.2%, up 1.9% from the same week last year. Room night demand surpassed last year by 2.3%. The Average Daily Rate (ADR) for the week was $192.44, up 7.6% from last year.
Around the Destination
Mayor Demings Delivers Final State Of The County
Today, Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings delivered his final State of the County address in the Linda W. Chapin Theater at the Orange County Convention Center.
During the presentation, Mayor Demings reflected on his two terms, while looking ahead to the future of Orange County. He outlined major initiatives across five key pillars of his administration: public safety, affordable housing, economic development, transportation and community care.
Mayor Demings shared our destination's recent visitation announcement of 76.7 million visitors as evidence of progress in economic development, along with continued growth of our meetings industry and recent wins to attract major sports events.
A strong partner and consistent advocate for the tourism industry, Mayor Demings has helped elevate Central Florida’s position as a leading global destination. We appreciate his leadership and partnership and look forward to working together in the remaining months of his term.
Watch the full State of the County address here.
2026 Orange County Public Schools State Of The Schools
Orange County Public Schools brought together education, business and civic leaders for its State of the Schools on June 2 at Edgewater High School, highlighting the district’s future direction and priorities. Leaders addressed ongoing shifts, including declining enrollment and budget pressures, while calling for continued community advocacy and accountability in public education funding.
Each year, more than 76 million visitors travel to our destination, fueling an economic engine that supports our schools. Visitors generate more than 50% of the sales tax collected in Orange County, helping fund essential services like education. That includes the voter-approved half-cent sales tax for Orange County Public Schools, which brings in roughly $350 million each year to build and improve local schools.
Visit Orlando also continues to partner with Orange County Public Schools to inspire students and connect them to career opportunities within the tourism and hospitality industry, helping build the region’s future workforce.
Watch the full 2026 State of the Schools here.
Premiere Orlando Draws 50k Attendees
Premiere Orlando, a professional beauty industry trade show, returned May 30-June 1 to the Orange County Convention Center for its 32nd edition, drawing an estimated 50,000 attendees. The event brought together industry professionals and students for three days focused on education, connection and innovation, with more than 500 exhibitors showcasing products and trends shaping the sector.
The strong turnout highlights Orlando’s continued ability to attract large-scale, globally relevant events. In partnership with the Orange County Convention Center, Visit Orlando’s sales efforts helped secure and support Premiere Orlando, contributing to room nights and economic impact across the destination.
Visit Orlando Engaged!
Visit Orlando Welcomes Days To Shine Sessions
Visit Orlando was proud to welcome attendees to the Days to Shine Sessions in Orlando on May 27 as one of a small group of cities chosen to host this internationally recognized event.
Produced by Grammy Award-winning producer Emilio Estefan and business partner Evelyn Betancourt, the event is designed for a Spanish-speaking audience and focuses on advancing Hispanic leadership, entrepreneurship and innovation. Bringing Days to Shine to Orlando further spotlights the strength and influence of Central Florida’s Hispanic and Latino communities on a national stage.
During our remarks, we highlighted the important role Hispanic and Latino leaders play in driving the region’s cultural vibrancy and economic growth – helping shape Orlando into the most visited destination in the country.
In the News
Miami Herald: Orlando casts a spell for a couple's getaway (syndicated in 25 additional Tribune publications)
El Tiempo (Colombia): Six Experiences to Enjoy Orlando, the City of Magic and Wonder
TSNN: June Destination News: Tourism Growth is Bigger Than Visitor Numbers
Nossa Gente (Brazil): Michelin Guide 2026 Highlights Star-Rated Restaurants in Orlando
