Orange County

Orlando tourism experts optimistic about travel returning for Spring Break

ORLANDO, Fla. — Many local attractions including Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando are offering deals to draw in more visitors, and tourism experts are hoping for a busy travel season.

After a year of dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic and huge drops in revenue in all aspects of tourism, experts at Visit Orlando are optimistic about this spring break.

“During Christmas and New Year’s, which is a big time for us, we average about 50% occupancy. We could set that as our benchmark looking ahead to spring break,” said Daryl Cronk with Visit Orlando.

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According to Visit Orlando’s research, last year when the economy shut down because of the coronavirus, hotel occupancy in the Orlando metro area during Spring Break was as low as 12%.

Before COVID-19, hotels were about 80% full during Spring Break.

“So 50% this year, if we achieve it, would be a dramatic improvement over last year,” Cronk said.

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He said the vaccines are the shot in the arm Central Florida’s tourism industry needs to get back on track, and local attractions are doing their best to keep visitors safe and healthy.

Q Mccray

Q McCray, WFTV.com

Q McCray is an award-winning general assignment reporter.

Adam Poulisse, WFTV.com

Adam Poulisse joined WFTV in November 2019.