THE ADVISORY BOARD 60 seconds with…
Olivia Georgas global marketing manager, Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau
Q. Tell us about your role. Alongside director of global affairs Kelly Clarke, I manage international relationships with tour operators, media and agents to ensure all our partners can effectively promote and sell the Bradenton area of Florida.
Q. How was visitation to the region last year? Our calendar was soft, but visitation did increase by 1%-3%. Thankfully, our numbers weren’t affected by the tourism drop seen in some other US regions. The UK is our biggest international market – we see roughly 55,000 UK visitors annually, and they stay the longest and spend the most.
Q. What key attractions draw travellers to Bradenton? The thing we’re known for is Anna Maria Island’s seven miles of sugar-white sand beaches with uninterrupted views of the Gulf; you really get the authentic Florida feeling. No high-rises are allowed, so the palm trees are taller than the buildings. Visitors can book sunset boat excursions with Red Boat Tours and trips to spot the resident, non-migratory dolphin pod. High-end travellers will want to opt for a private villa – many of which can be booked through SeaBreeze Vacation Rentals – with private pools, beach access, personal chefs and a concierge.
Q. What is your focus for tourism in the area? We’re aiming to position the destination as the ideal family beach retreat after visiting the theme parks, as we’re only two hours from Orlando. We have a 94% visitor return rate because a lot of guests connect with our beauty, culture and quiet pace of life. It’s a very restorative vacation – we like to call it a holiday from your holiday. UK agents wanting to find out more can get tailored training from our UK rep, Jo Exell at Gosh PR.
Steering the Aspire Travel Club Our panel of travel professionals covers the
spectrum of the luxury market and plays a major role in helping Aspire Travel Club evolve
John Sullivan Advantage Travel Partnership
advantagemembers.com
Andrea Stafford AmaWaterways
amawaterways.co.uk
Rick Milne Carrier
carrier.co.uk
Nicola McNeish Celebrity Cruises
celebritycruises.co.uk
Andy Harmer Clia UK & Ireland
trade.cruising.org
Pete Brudenell CV Villas
cvvillas.com
Amanda Matthews Designer Travel
designertravel.co.uk
Gordon McCreadie Elegant Resorts and If Only
elegantresorts.co.uk ifonly.net
Priti Mehta Explora Journeys
explorajourneys.com
Craig Jeffs Kerzner International
kerzner.com
Louise Craddock Oceania Cruises
oceaniacruises.com
Kate Fenton Tourism New Zealand
newzealand.com/luxury
Lynn Narraway Seabourn
seabourn.com
Jeanne Lally Travel Bureau
travelb.co.uk
aspiretravelclub.co.uk
JANUARY 2026 ASPIRE 29
CREDITS: Steve Dunlop; Passionate; Matthew Burch; Mark Miller
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