Visit Orlando

Visit Orlando connected with nearly two dozen travel writers, editors, freelancers and content creators at a recent VISIT FLORIDA media mission. Our team pitched a variety of story ideas around what’s new, award-winning dining, outdoor activities, our growing sports destination and unique Orlando neighborhoods. Events included a media brunch and baseball game night between the Marlins vs. Yankees at Yankee Stadium.

Today we celebrate Global Travel Advisor Day, honoring the incredible professionals who help us navigate the world with expertise, passion and wanderlust. Whether it's finding the perfect destination, scoring the best deals, or ensuring smooth journeys, travel advisors make our adventures unforgettable. And for those dreaming of the magic of Orlando, they're the ones who turn imaginations into itineraries and make those dreams come true! Let's show some appreciation for these unsung heroes of travel, and a special shoutout to Visit Orlando’s representatives in the UK, Canada, Spain, Mexico, Brazil, Germany, India and Colombia.

The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA) is now a Certified Autism Center™. The International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) awarded the designation to GOAA highlighting their dedication to accessibility and a responsibility to better understand and assist autistic or sensory sensitive individuals as they travel. https://bit.ly/44n2sGB Greater Orlando Aviation Authority: Orlando International (MCO) and Executive (ORL) Airports

Visit Orlando and the Orlando Economic Partnership, in collaboration with the City of Orlando and Orange County Government, received a Golden Brick award for the #407Day “Unbelievably Real” mural project at Downtown Orlando Partnership’s Golden Eagle Awards. The event celebrates the people, projects and initiatives that are propelling the City Beautiful forward. Additionally, President & CEO at Greater Orlando Sports Commission Jason Siegel was recognized as Downtowner of the Year for his dedication to promoting and advancing downtown Orlando. Congratulations to all the nominees and finalists!

Across three days, Visit Orlando's social media team hosted six content creators for a familiarization tour (FAM). FAMs are an important tool to offer influential content creators opportunities to personally experience our destination, share their stories with their followers and collaborate with Visit Orlando on content. The participants experienced International Drive Orlando's I-RIDE Trolley transportation service, stopping at nearby experiences, including Ripley's Believe It or Not!, WonderWorks Orlando and ICON Park and its attractions. The group participated in several other unique adventures, including Gatorland, enjoyed several diverse restaurants and sheered on the Orlando Magic at the Kia Center.

Visit Orlando attended World Travel Market Latin America (WTM LATAM), the leading B2B global event for the Latin American travel industry, to drive visitation to Orlando and promote the destination to key travel professionals and media. Premier trade shows like WTM LATAM are ideal platforms to strengthen relationships with the travel industry and showcase Orlando's full scope. The event included a VIP breakfast for 56 industry clients and 25 media outlets, with representation from the U.S. Consulate in attendance. The team conducted eight media interviews, met with over 20 journalists, influencers and content creators, and hosted a breakfast with six LGBTQ+ media. The team emphasized Visit Orlando’s support to this top market with a marketplace and training seminar for over 300 travel agents to educate them about Orlando’s new and unique experiences and grow our partnerships with travel professionals.

Orlando’s culinary community shined bright last night in a star-studded The MICHELIN Guide ceremony. Four new Orlando restaurants received MICHELIN Stars, one of the most prestigious honors in the restaurant industry, bringing Orlando’s total to seven One-MICHELIN-Star restaurants. ⭐ Camille (Vietnamese cuisine) in Baldwin Park ⭐ Natsu (Japanese cuisine) in Downtown Orlando ⭐ Papa Llama (Peruvian cuisine) in Curry Ford West ⭐ Victoria & Albert’s (Contemporary cuisine) at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa in Lake Buena Vista 🏆 Soseki Modern Omakase in Winter Park; Capa Steakhouse & Bar at Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort; and Kadence in the Audubon Park Garden District retained their one-MICHELIN-Star recognition. The MICHELIN Guide also recognized Orlando’s creativity, commitment to service and sustainability with three special awards: 🎉Michelin Exceptional Cocktails Award: Justin Levaughn of Otto’s High Dive, a Bib Gourmand 🎉Michelin Service Award: Israel Perez, maître d'hôtel and sommelier of Victoria & Albert’s 🎉MICHELIN Green Star, which recognizes exceptional sustainable dining that doesn’t sacrifice flavor: Kaya, a Michelin Recommended, led by Chef Lordfer Lalico Congratulations to all honorees for your amazing accomplishments and for representing Orlando so well! You all help make Orlando, Unbelievably Real!

Visit Orlando exemplifies a commitment to empowering future business professionals through presentations for educational groups and college students. Members of Visit Orlando’s marketing, communications, travel industry sales and meetings and conventions teams, shared personal career growth stories and career growth tips to 40-plus college students from the Florida Future Business Leaders of America—an organization dedicated to helping business students prepare for their future careers. Additionally, Denise Spiegel, Visit Orlando’s VP of communications, shared insights into a travel and tourism industry career with students at University of Central Florida – Rosen College of Hospitality Management. The discussion centered on Visit Orlando and the critical role the communications team plays in telling the story about the organization, destination and the impact of our industry on the community. She also shared examples of how the team landed major news coverage, including a segment on The Kelly Clarkson Show, viral Tik-Toks from influencers and syndicated news coverage on Visit Orlando and destination announcements.

Visit Orlando creates unique opportunities to make learning about Orlando fun. At HelmsBriscoe’s Partner Celebration Event at Conrad Orlando, our team members introduced "Orlando Bingo," an interactive educational game inspired by the traditional BINGO. The game implements facts about #Orlando, including: — Orlando is the #1 meeting destination in the country — Orlando has 200+ unique venues and unforgettable experiences for groups of all sizes — Orlando has over 7 million SQ FT of meeting space

Visit Orlando hosted a global group press trip last October with LGBTQ+ journalists from our key markets. As a result, this story in the Dallas Voice notes, "Orlando is a place I consider the model of doing it right." Writer Jenny Block also noted, "As Orlando continues to be a friend and ally to the LGBTQ community, it continues to enjoy more and more success as a travel destination." https://bit.ly/49Jt3yG