Visit Orlando launches campaign to beef up Orlando tourism this summer
Fun Spot America had people racing into the park well before noon Monday.
Some were seen lighting the fuse on the new firecracker ride. That included Scarlett and Georgia Strange, visiting with their parents from Ocala for a "staycation."
"Memorial Day and they just graduated from school so we thought we would take them to have a little fun and get out of town. Are you going to be vacationing again this summer? Yes, and we will definitely be coming back to Orlando and hopefully other places," Joanna Strange said.
Local tourism has been a roller-coaster ride for the past couple of years. Up before the pandemic, then dramatically down and climbing back last year. So far, indications point to a potential record summer.
In March, for example, Orange County tourist development tax collections hit $38 million, the best ever, thanks in part to hotel room rates averaging close to $175 per night.
The Orange County convention center, which lost $2 billion in business in 2020, has mostly rebounded with meetings, trade shows and other events.
Many of those business travelers this summer are expected to bring their families, boosting the bottom line for local theme parks and attractions.
"It is a great positive! We're seeing growth in the entire market. The results of the March returns is evidence of that as well," John Chidester, of Fun Spot America, said.
To ensure central Florida lands a big chunk of returning international vacation business, Visit Orlando is running an $18 million campaign, airing ads on TV and digital in the U.K., Canada and in Spanish in Mexico, and Portuguese in Brazil, through June.
That's on top of local beaches and attractions featured in the Visit Florida ad campaign all aimed at adding some action to Sunshine State tourism this summer.