Sunshine Matters

According to the latest statistics from Ctrip, China’s largest and most prestigious online travel agency, Orlando ranked No. 1 as the “Destination with the Fastest-Growing Air-Ticket Orders,” reflecting a 700% year-over-year increase from 2015.  To capitalize on this ranking, as well as the October 1 start of China’s Golden Week – the country’s second most popular long-haul vacation holiday – VISIT FLORIDA and several of our Industry Partners recently arranged to bring nine key Chinese tour operators on a four-city familiarization tour that included Orlando and other popular destinations in Central and South Florida.

This Mega-FAM allowed the representatives to get a wide sample of Florida experiences to pass along as they help plan their client’s vacations.  FAM trips like this one are important for both travel industry representatives and the destinations themselves, as they allow for relationships to be built between the representatives and the destination, alongside the businesses within those destinations.  They also give the destinations a chance to market themselves to an international audience as they showcase their best and most attractive features.

The group started their tour in the Keys, visiting the Theater of the Sea and taking a trolley ride around Key West.  Miami was the next stop on the packed itinerary, where they visited a host of attractions including the Seaquarium and the Bayside Marketplace.  The FAM continued on to Fort Lauderdale, visiting diverse sites from the Everglades to the bustling Sawgrass Mills mall.  The group ended their tour with a visit to Kissimmee and then on to the ever-popular Universal Studios and Walt Disney World.

In each destination, the group conducted site visits at a broad range of hotels so they could provide first-hand information on a wide variety of client interests.  Delectable meals provided by various restaurants within the destinations allowed the group to experience American and Chinese cuisine at its finest, and shopping opportunities made it possible for the group to share details on the state’s vast offerings with their customers back home in China.

VISIT FLORIDA would like to thank our Partners, including American Airlines, the Florida Keys and Key West, the Greater Miami CVB, the Greater Fort Lauderdale CVB and Experience Kissimmee for being such gracious hosts.  To learn more about VISIT FLORIDA’s international marketing efforts, check out our online Marketing Planner or contact Carolyn Jones, VISIT FLORIDA’s International Marketing & Event Manager, at cjones@VISITFLORIDA.org.