Orlando tourism chiefs have described 2004 as a year of
“sensational growth”, with a projected 2.6 million international
arrivals. This figure is expected to rise to 2.8 million this
year.
Nevertheless, visitor numbers have failed to reach the pre-2001
high that was expected this year.
Speaking at Pow Wow, Orlando Convention and Visitors Bureau
president Bill Peeper said the UK had been leading the
international recovery, with a projected 1.1 million visitors for
this year.
However, the best-ever performance of 1.312 million in 2001 is
now unlikely to be topped until 2007, when 1.322 million Brits are
expected to make the journey to Orlando.
Operators confirmed that Florida has been slower to recover than
expected. Jetlife and Virgin product managers Graham Bendelow and
Angus Bond both said the family market was waiting longer to make
their bookings this year.
However, Peeper was positive that growth would continue,
stressing the new developments in resort. The biggest news this
year is the opening of Fear Factor Live at Universal (see story,
page 54), and Disney’s Happiest Celebration on Earth, which
sees four attractions imported from other Disney parks to Walt
Disney World Resort.
Debuting now at the Florida park are the hang-gliding simulator
Soarin’ from Epcot; the Lights, Motors, Action! stunt show
from Disney-MGM studios in Paris; and the musical attraction
Cinderellabration from Tokyo. New in the Animal Kingdom is Lucky
the Dinosaur, a free-roaming animatronic creation that can react to
crowds and sign autographs.
Orlando will host Pow Wow in 2006, with events planned at
SeaWorld, Universal and Disney. Peeper said the show would provide
to opportunity to see how Orlando has “grown up” since the event
was last held there in 2001. Recent developments include the Grande
Lakes complex, housing both a Marriott and a Ritz-Carlton, and the
high-end Mall at Millennia. The Orange County Convention Centre has
also doubled in size, now offering 2.1 million sq ft of space.
