Orlando
VARIATIONS ON A THEME
It’s already the world’s favourite holiday playground, but Orlando has no intention of standing still and will welcome a clutch of new attractions this year, says Peter Ellegard
After last year’s opening of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort, 2011 sees the debut of LEGOLAND Florida, a 150-acre theme park geared to families with young children on the former Cypress Gardens site, while other theme parks are adding new attractions. Walt Disney World is revamping its
N
Star Tours ride at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Busch Gardens Tampa is opening its new Cheetah Hunt
o destination evolves so creatively as Florida’s best- known holiday destination.
rollercoaster this spring and the Grand Reef opens at Discovery Cove in June. Visit Orlando chief marketing officer Danielle Courtenay says the UK remains the top international market after Canada, but she acknowledges the impact of the economic crisis:. “With the difficult economic challenges
of the last couple of years, we have seen some decrease in the volume of UK visitors but we’re noticing signs that the tide is starting to turn this year.” Visit Orlando recently launched its new
UK website –
www.visitorlando.com/ uk – which is easier to navigate and
features a new Trip Ideas Tool, which Courtenay says can
help agents put together an extensive customised itinerary for clients or provide them with some fun ideas.
Visit Orlando will again stage its annual Orlando Super Fam this year and details of how to participate will be announced soon. Orlando is also continuing to update its Travel Uni Orlando Holiday Challenge training programme (www.
OrlandoHolidayChallenge.co.uk). Since its launch, nearly 4,000 agents have registered for training.
While airlines have trimmed their
Orlando capacity because of the economy, British holidaymakers
seem determined to maximise their visits. Sales of pre-purchased theme park
tickets are up again in 2011 after strong sales in 2010, and people are not economising on tickets according to leading seller Attraction World. Sales and marketing director Tony
Seaman says its specially-created ONE ticket – giving 14 days’ unlimited admission to all Walt Disney World
Heads for heights on Manta at SeaWorld Orlando, Florida
www.sellinglonghaul.com • June 2011 31
Selling Tip
Download the free Orlando Magicard from www.
visitorlando.com and enjoy discounts on a range of items including shopping, restaurants and spas
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