It can’t be easy to keep their minds on work with a storm raging back home, but Visit Orlando officials are out in force in Canada this week to meet with key trade partners.
Orlando tourism put on a fine event at an Italian restaurant in the west end of Toronto on 07OCT, with key suppliers and a few select members of the media on hand, including Open Jaw. They were slated to meet with travel industry types in Ottawa and Montreal before heading home to check on the damage from Hurricane Milton.
"With Canada being our top international market, we value the opportunity to connect with our partners and further solidify Orlando as the top destination for Canadian travellers,” said Casandra Matej, President and CEO of Visit Orlando, Laura Kreutzer of the Visit Orlando travel industry sales team said the dinner was simply a way to say thank you to its most important partners.
“We really value our relationship with you,” she said.
Amy Rodenbrock of Visit Orlando told Open Jaw that Canada remains Orlando’s key overseas market and that visitation from Canada continues to set records.
More than 1.2 million Canadians made their way to the city last year. That helped Orlando reach 6.13 million international visitors last year, up 25% from 2022.
Rodenbrock said Orlando continues to evolve and add new attractions, and to improve existing ones.
Universal Orlando Resort’s fourth theme park, Universal Epic Universe, will debut in 2025, transporting guests to expansive worlds featuring more than 50 attractions, entertainment, dining and shopping experiences. Celestial Park, inspired by astronomical and mythological elements, will be the first world guests encounter and the gateway to explore four additional worlds: · The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic; Super Nintendo World; How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk; and Dark Universe.
Universal Orlando Resort will add 1,500 guest rooms to the destination’s hotel portfolio, with Universal Stella Nova Resort opening 21JAN, 2025 and Universal Terra Luna Resort opening 25FEB, 2025. The new properties will feature 750 double-queen guest rooms with spaceship-style windows, a variety of dining options and amenities, including resort-style pools, fitness centers, game rooms and more.
Visit Orlando launched its fall Unbelievably Real Canada campaign on 02SEP, aiming to drive travel demand for the rest of 2024 and early 2025. The campaign runs through 04NOV nd targets the Ontario and Quebec markets with TV and out-of-home as well as digital display, online video, paid social and search engine marketing across Canada.
