Tourism, hospitality riding positive momentum throughout 2022

Tourism, hospitality riding positive momentum throughout 2022

2022-07-13T08:49:54-04:00June 6th, 2022|Orlando, Tourism|

Writer: Liz Palmer

2 min read June 2022 — With Pride celebrations in full bloom, hotel demand showing strong numbers and Governor DeSantis’ office recently reporting about 36 million visitors to Florida in Q1, Greater Orlando’s industry leaders in tourism and hospitality are innovating and capitalizing on the region’s positive momentum.

Jesse Martinez, General Manager, The Alfond Inn at Rollins College

Jesse Martinez, general manager of the The Alfond Inn at Rollins College,  understands that there has been even more emphasis placed on experiential travel, especially for millennials who he says are becoming their “largest sector of guests.” “From a luxury boutique perspective, we find that millennials want more than a safe environment and a clean room,” he told Invest:. “They want experiences and immersion in the local community and hotel. We create experiences within the hotel visit to keep guests engaged and coming back.” To adapt, he said the hotel is expanding to accommodate meeting spaces, a spa and new restaurants, as well as renovating current guest rooms. 

Casandra Matej, President & CEO, Visit Orlando

In 22Q1, Visit Orlando reported record numbers in Tourist Development Tax Revenue for 2022’s Spring Break season, Orange County reached 72.9% lodging occupancy and its ‘The Wonder Remains’ campaign continued to gain traction in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, Mexico and Brazil to draw back in international travel and stimulate domestic tourism. Cassandra Matej, president and CEO of Visit Orlando, recently told Invest: she is enthusiastic about the tourism industry’s continued comeback in 2022 as the U.S. begins to see COVID in the rearview mirror. “That large pent-up demand and desire to be in a destination where your imagination can come to life is unprecedented,” she said. “That is what people are looking for. They want to connect and to build memories. That is what Orlando does best.”

Dominique Greco, Founder & Executive Director, Orlando Hospitality Alliance

Dominique Greco , founder and executive director of the Orlando Hospitality Alliance, spoke on the growing trend of experiences in entertainment delivery coming out of the pandemic, telling Invest: that, “Patrons are looking for unique experiences and to create that, owners/operators are creating concepts that function outside of the traditional boxes that are archaically defined in our municable codes. There’s a real opportunity for officials to recognize what the market calls for and create new policies that satisfy the current needs for all the users.” Some of those transitional settings include offering indoor/outdoor flex space for patrons, Orlando’s Night Mayor said.  

DT Minich, President & CEO, Experience Kissimmee

DT Minich of Experience Kissimmee told Invest: everything they do comes back to their trademarked slogan “Vacation Home Capital of the World.” The pandemic expedited the demand for vacation homes, and in the past five years Minich estimates 40,000 have been built in Oceola and Kissimmee. The gated Encore resort community holds 800 homes with amenities such as swimming pools, spas, a restaurant and more. Along with its accommodations, Minich says these homes provide an economical option, as well. “For the price of one hotel room, they can pretty much get their own vacation home,” Minich said. “These have been especially popular with multigenerational family vacations and millennials.”

For more information, visit: 

https://thealfondinn.com/ 

https://www.visitorlando.com/

https://www.orlandohospitalityalliance.org/ 

https://www.experiencekissimmee.com/

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