Experience Kissimmee outlines regional outlook and visitor trends

At the Vitrina Turística de ANATO, Travel2latam spoke with DT Minich, President and CEO of Experience Kissimmee, about expectations for the exhibition, the performance of key South American markets and the destination’s strategy surrounding the upcoming FIFA World Cup in the United States.

What are your expectations for this exhibition?
We are always really glad to come to ANATO. We’ve been attending for many years, and it’s a great show. It’s a great opportunity for us to meet with our Colombian clients and the Colombian media, and to talk about travel to Kissimmee and Central Florida.
The Colombian market is very important to us. It is our fifth-largest international market worldwide, so it’s essential for us to be here, to have a presence, and to show Colombians that we believe in this market and want to continue growing it.

ANATO brings together professionals from across Latin America. How important is the region for you?
All the countries in Latin America are very important to us. Brazil is our third-largest international market, Colombia is number five, and Mexico is number one.

What about Argentina?
Argentina is really “on fire” right now. The numbers are going through the roof, with more Argentinians traveling. I’ll be there in April to meet with tour operators and media because it’s growing very fast.
We’re also seeing very good numbers from Chile. Ecuador is a smaller market, but it’s performing well. And Peru is very important as well, especially with the available air connectivity.

The FIFA World Cup is coming. How are you preparing for this opportunity?
We are preparing actively for the World Cup. We built a new mini-site on our website dedicated entirely to the World Cup.
We hope Latin Americans will come and use Kissimmee and Orlando as a base. We are the vacation home capital of the world, with 32,000 vacation homes right on the doorstep of Disney.
There are over 150 daily non-stop flights from Orlando International Airport to World Cup host cities, making it easy to attend matches. We also have Brightline, the high-speed rail to Miami, so visitors can stay in Kissimmee and travel to games in Miami.
In the Orlando and Central Florida area, there will also be large watch parties and events, and all that information will be available on our website.

Are your hoteliers prepared for this demand?
Yes, we are very excited. We know how passionate Colombians and Latin Americans are about football and how much they want to experience the games. It’s going to be a very exciting summer.

On a personal note, what would be your perfect day in the destination?
We really offer the best of both worlds. We have the world’s most famous man-made attractions — the theme parks — but we also have incredible natural attractions.
You can kayak at the headwaters of the Everglades or zip-line over alligators. My perfect day would combine some time in a theme park with a nature-based activity.
Staying in a vacation home makes it even more special — having your own swimming pool, your own barbecue. It’s a perfect destination to share with friends and family.

How important is shopping within the visitor experience?
We know our Latin American visitors love to shop. We offer incredible shopping options, from premium outlets to traditional retail, with designer brands and a wide variety of stores. It’s definitely part of the experience.