Visit Orlando, in association with a full delegation of theme park, hotel, transportation and attraction partners, called in Calgary, Toronto and Halifax last week for the tour association’s annual “Orlando Canadian Sunshine Tour,” attracting close to 500 enthusiastic travel advisors across the three events that resulted in record-breaking attendance for the mission.
“They were lining up out the door in Calgary,” Elaine Blazys, VP of Travel Industry Sales at Visit Orlando marvelled to Travel Industry Today at the Toronto event – second of three cities, which saw over 300 guests for its gala marketplace and dinner, which included an extravagant interactive game.
Agents had the chance to learn about all aspects of Orlando through engaging educational sessions – from theme parks and Michelin-rated dining to new hotels and unique local neighbourhoods.
“The Orlando Sunshine Tour includes new stops (Calgary and Halifax) this year to ensure travel advisors have the information they need to help clients enjoy unbelievably real experiences in the most visited destination in the United States,” stated Visit Orlando President and CEO Casandra Matej before the tour, which Blazys said Florida suppliers were eager to join again, for the first times since the pandemic.
Among those taking part were Caribe Royale (Calgary only); Evermore Orlando Resort; Grayline; Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex; Marriott Village Orlando; Orlando International Airport; Rosen Hotels & Resorts; Sonesta ES Suites Orlando Hotels; Universal Orlando Resort; Walt Disney World Resort (Calgary and Toronto only); Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort.
WestJet was a prominent Canadian partner on hand as well.
Attendees also learned abut the Orlando Travel Academy, the destination’s comprehensive training tool, which providing content for travel agents on all aspects of Orlando, and specialists (and featuring new courses).
Meanwhile, in Toronto, many got a first glimpse of Visit Orlando’s ‘Winter Doesn’t Exist in Orlando’ campaign, running through March 24 via digital display, social media, and search engine marketing, as well as digital and weather dynamic billboards featuring real time temperature updates from Orlando to entice cold weather market residents to consider travelling to the Theme Park Capital of the World.
Blazys told attendees that Canada remains Orlando’s No. 1 international market, but warned that the UK is getting close, rallying attendees with the plea, “We’ve got some work to do!”
Fortunately, lift from Canada has never been better, with a host of new entrants serving the state, including Canada Jetlines, Flair, Lynx, and Porter – in addition to mainstays, Air Canada and WestJet.
And there is no end of new developments in Orlando, she added, from new hotels to attractions and outdoor activities.
“A family that travels one year can visit again the next – there’s always something new,” she enthused.
At the same time, Blazys was quick to point out that Visit Orlando is not taking the Canadian market for granted – something the organization was once accused of (albeit many years ago).
From new opportunities in the West to maintaining a presence in the east, the travel trade VP says, “We recognize Canada is not like our domestic market,” adding, “And, after the pandemic, we don’t anyone for granted!”