On the 15th, 16th and 17th of April, Visit Orlando, the Official Tourism Association, presents its newest tourist offers during WTM Latin America 2024. With Brazil as its third main market, the bet is to reinforce strategies with main partners and take advantage of Brazilians' preference for this charming city in Florida.
“We understand the importance of the Brazilian market and the enthusiasm they have for Orlando, as a premier global destination that attracts families and friends from around the world,” says Casandra Matej, president and CEO of Visit Orlando. "Our marketing strategies are designed to showcase the variety of experiences Brazilian travelers can enjoy here, at all price points. From our world-famous theme parks to a diverse range of activities, there truly is something for everyone to create an unbelievably real in Orlando," he says.
In addition to the Visit Orlando delegation, the stand at the event features the participation of partner companies of the association: Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Orlando Resorts, United Parks, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, Merlin Entertainments, Rosen Hotels and Resorts, Margaritaville Resort Orlando , Simon Malls and Ramada Plaza Resort and Suites International Drive.
Among the new features for travelers is the Evermore Resort, the first property with artificial beaches on a crystal-clear lagoon measuring more than 32,000 meters. The complex houses the recently opened Conrad Hotel, the first of the luxury Hilton brand in the destination. Currently, the hotel offer has 490 hotels, totaling 130 thousand rooms with options for all tastes, from boutique hotels to large resorts.
Another bet is Orlando's gastronomic offer, which has become increasingly prominent after the launch of the Michelin Florida guide, an initiative led by Visit Orlando. This is a differentiator for those who visit the city and demonstrates its quality and diversity in this regard. There are openings by renowned chefs, as well as a mix of cuisines from different countries. In total, there are more than 50 restaurants recommended by the guide, four of which have been awarded the desired Michelin star.
The destination is also a paradise for those who love sporting events. In addition to having already hosted the friendly between Flamengo and Orlando City, during the FC Series in January this year, the city will be the stage for another Florida Cup, between Manchester City and Barcelona. Orlando will also host two Copa América games, between June and July. Other unmissable experiences are the games at the Kia Center, which is home to the NBA's Orlando Magic and ice hockey's Solar Bears basketball teams.
Theme parks are not left out of the launches. Universal Orlando Resort is preparing for one of the biggest launches in recent years: Epic Universe, an entire new park with more than 50 attractions. Walt Disney World, on the other hand, has new attractions in parks such as EPCOT and Magic Kingdom, and plans to expand in the coming years.
In addition to its presence at WTM LA 2024, Visit Orlando also invests in promoting actions aimed at travel agents, such as training and qualifications throughout the year. There is also the Orlando Travel Academy, an official e-learning platform that has also been available in Portuguese since last year. The program offers a certificate for those who complete the course and these professionals can also count on support tools from Visit Orlando, such as an information center, marketing resources, essential sales tips and benefits and discounts for those who visit the destination.
In 2022, Orlando received more than 74 million visitors, 4.9 million of which were international. Brazil was the third foreign market that sent the most tourists, with 575 thousand travelers, behind only Canada (870.7 thousand) and the United Kingdom (809 thousand). With the increase in flight supply, in addition to the strong recovery of the Brazilian economy, it is expected that by 2024 the destination will reach pre-pandemic levels in the number of tourists.