visit orlando 2015

Orlando sets a record with 62 million tourist in 2014

The Visit Orlando organization has revealed that more than 62 million people visited Orlando in 2014, marking a new all-time record for the U.S. travel industry. Visitation grew five percent from 2013 as visitors from around the world came to experience all that is new across the city.

“This historic milestone is the latest testament to Orlando’s leadership in tourism,” said Visit Orlando president and CEO George Aguel.

A record 32 million hotel room nights were sold in Orlando in 2014, resulting in bed tax collections topping $200 million for the first time in Orange County, Fla., home to the Central Florida tourism district.

“The impact of tourism on our community is remarkable, and in fact, the travel and tourism industry is the largest generator of jobs and economic impact for our region,” said Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs. “In addition to delighting visitors and families from around the world, our travel and hospitality industry helps to support a great quality of life for Orlando’s residents, including our amazing new performing arts center and outstanding sports venues.”

To meet the needs of a growing number of visitors, Orange County has made investments in infrastructure, including investing in an important expansion and renovation of the Orange County Convention Center.

“Passing the 60 million annual visitors mark is a significant achievement for Orlando and the U.S. travel industry that generates $2.1 trillion for the U.S. economy each year,” said U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Roger Dow. “Thanks to the close partnership among members of Orlando’s tourism community and strong leadership by public officials and Visit Orlando, this popular destination known around the world is well positioned to continue setting records in tourism.”

In 2014, Walt Disney World Resort completed New Fantasyland, and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley at Universal Orlando Resort opened. Visitors to Orlando in 2015 will experience the first full year of these expansions that opened in 2014 and be the first to see several new attractions, including I-Drive 360, featuring a trio of new attractions from Merlin Entertainments, as well as a multi-year transformation of Downtown Disney into Disney Springs.

In recent years, the Orlando experience has also become more diverse, attracting an increasingly wide range of visitors. Foodies find a surprisingly sophisticated culinary destination, recognized with more “Best of the South” chef nominations by the James Beard Foundation than any city in Florida for three straight years. Luxury travelers are drawn to the five-star service at the Four Seasons Resort Orlando that opened six months ago, as well as the Ritz-Carlton Orlando and Waldorf Astoria Orlando.

Visitors are also discovering new venues in which to enjoy the arts and professional sports, like the Dr. Phillips Center for Performing Arts and the Major League Soccer stadium coming to Downtown Orlando in 2016.

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Orlando on the Cheap

Deals, discounts and free and cheap things to do in and around Orlando

15 New Things to See & Do in Orlando in 2015

INTERNATIONAL DRIVE In the heart of Orlando’s tourism corridor, International Drive will see significant development in 2015 with the addition of several retail, dining and entertainment venues.

• I-Drive 360 , a new entertainment complex from Merlin Entertainments, will open a trio of new attractions. At the heart of the complex, The Orlando Eye  is a 400-foot-tall (12.92-meter) observation wheel providing breathtaking views of Central Florida in all directions within fully enclosed, air-conditioned glass capsules.   Madame Tussauds , the world’s most famous celebrity wax attraction, offers visitors the ultimate fame experience with its signature red carpet treatment.  SEA LIFE Orlando  delivers a new wave of underwater adventures with beautiful displays of colorful fish, sharks, jellyfish, sea horses and more, that turn the traditional aquarium observation on its head. The Yardhouse, Tin Roof and more retail, restaurants and entertainment yet to be announced, will add to the experience.
• Orlando welcomes one of South Beach’s hottest dance clubs with the addition of  Mangos Tropical Café . With 55,000 square feet (5,109 square meters) of entertainment space, the Orlando location is a massive restaurant and nightlife destinationoffering high-energy entertainment for a wide variety of tastes. Guests will enjoy Salsa, Bachatta, Reggae and Pop performances with Floribbean Cuisine and tropical cocktails.
• Escapology Orlando   brings a new kind of entertainment to Orlando with its first U.S. location. The attraction challenges guests to be their own heroes in a thrilling game of adventure and mystery. Teams of up to six players are locked in a themed room with just 60 minutes to combine clues, solve puzzles and discover the key to escape.

• The list of dining and entertainment options unique to Orlando continues to grow with the addition of  The Whiskey   on Sand Lake Road, welcoming lovers of gourmet burgers, craft cocktails and rock ‘n roll fun. With over 100 brands of whiskey for the thirsty connoisseur, the venue will also host live entertainment, from musical guests to head-to-head “food fights,” where local chefs will pit recipe against recipe. THEME PARKS

• The  BOATHOUSE  is an upscale, waterfront-dining restaurant at Disney Springs that will immerse guests with experiences beyond the cuisine. Guests can listen to live music or take a romantic Captain’s guided tour aboard The Venezia, a beautifully crafted 40-foot (12-meter) wooden Italian Water Taxi featuring champagne toasts and chocolate-covered strawberries. The BOATHOUSE will be showcased in an expansive restaurant with three distinctive bars, one built over the water. Guests will enjoy a gourmet menu served daily until 2 a.m. featuring steaks, chops, fresh seafood and a raw bar.
• STK Orlando   blends two concepts into one—the modern steakhouse and a chic lounge. Unique features include a live DJ, high-energy atmosphere and a sleek environment designed to encourage guests to interact and mingle. STK Orlando boasts the only rooftop dining venue in Disney Springs.
• LEGOLAND Florida Resort   will open a new land called Heartlake City, set to welcome guests this summer. The expansion will include a horse-themed disc coaster called Mia’s Riding Adventure, an interactive show titled ‘Friends to the Rescue’ and new shops inside the Heartlake Mall.
• SeaWorld Orlando will debut an all-new show,  Clyde & Seamore’s Sea Lion High , a hilarious tale, filled with amazing animal behaviors and splashy audience fun. The comedic sea lion duo will be joined by mischievous otters, a 2,300 lb. (1043 kg) walrus and a cast of goofy human characters. DOWNTOWN ORLANDO

• Orlando City Soccer Club   is Major League Soccer’s newest expansion team set to debut in 2015 with global soccer icon, Kaká. The Orlando City Soccer Club will kick-off their first MLS season at the newly rebuilt  Orlando Citrus Bowl Stadium.  After a $207 million reconstruction, sports fans will enjoy an all-new lower bowl with more legroom, improved broadband and Wi-Fi coverage and expanded concession with healthy and gluten-free options.
• An influx of restaurants will join new downtown Orlando venues in 2015, including:  Two Chefs Seafood , featuring comfort food and seafood from former chefs of Emeril’s Orlando and The Palm Restaurant; and  North Quarter Tavern , a chef-driven neighborhood tavern by the team behind downtown Orlando’s power-lunch staple, Citrus Restaurant.

• The JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes will welcome new restaurant concept based on the resort’s 13,000-square-foot (1,208-square-meter) farm.  Whisper Creek Farm: The Kitchen , will serve up farm-fresh food and signature craft beer.

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Orlando welcomed 66 million visitors in 2015

Visit Orlando's president & CEO George Aguel, along with Peter Kacheris, Visit Orlando's chairman of the board and managing director of the Waldorf Astoria Orlando & Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek, announced the record breaking 2015 visitor attendance during the Visit Orlando "Celebrating Travel & Tourism Week" members' luncheon today. The announcement that more than 66 million people visited the destination in 2015 set a new record for the U.S. travel industry. (PRNewsFoto/Visit Orlando)

Visit Orlando announced the record-breaking achievement at its annual Travel & Tourism Luncheon, a celebration of Orlando’s tourism community, attended by more than 800 tourism and community leaders.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Visit Orlando announced a new all-time record for the destination. In 2015, 66.1 million people visited Orlando, growing 5.5 percent from 2014 and solidifying Orlando's position as the most visited destination in the nation. Visitation to Orlando more than doubled over the past 20 years, growing from 32.4 million in 1995.

" Reaching more than 66 million visitors to Orlando is an amazing accomplishment for our tourism community, " said Visit Orlando President and CEO George Aguel . " This new milestone and rapid growth over the past two decades is a result of having a tourism industry and community partners that are focused on growth and investment, dedication to the needs of our visitors and the global marketing and sales efforts of our Visit Orlando team and member companies ."

A record 33 million room nights were sold in Orlando in 2015, resulting in record tourist development tax collections topping $230 million in Orange County, Fla., home to the Central Florida tourism district.

" We're so proud to break another national record and again be named the top visitor destination for the U.S. ," said Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs .  " With our superb convention center and culture of hospitality, world-class theme parks, family-friendly entertainment and luxury dining and lodging amenities, it's no surprise that Central Florida remains the top destination for business, family and leisure guests. "

Visit Orlando announced the record-breaking achievement at its annual Travel & Tourism Luncheon, a celebration of Orlando's tourism community, attended by more than 800 tourism and community leaders. The event was held during the 33rd annual National Travel and Tourism Week , which unites communities each year to celebrate what travel means to American jobs, economic growth and personal well-being.

" Orlando has reached yet another historic milestone with more than 66 million visitors in 2015—a significant achievement for Orlando and the U.S. travel industry, " said U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Roger Dow . " The region's remarkable commitment to travel and tourism—with especial kudos to Visit Orlando, its tourism community members, and the leadership of local public officials—enabled it to hit yet another visitation record. "

Since 1995, Orlando's hotel inventory grew by more than 37 percent, topping 117,000 rooms in 2015. Passengers at Orlando International Airport increased by more than 72 percent, reaching 38,809,337 in 2015. In the past two decades, significant openings and expansions have continued to reinforce Orlando as the theme park capital of the world and a leading convention destination. Orlando also established a robust lineup of luxury offerings to meet the needs of travelers seeking five-star service and amenities and downtown Orlando experienced a renaissance with new arts and sports venues. The destination emerged as a thriving culinary destination, garnering consistent James Beard Award nominations for local chefs while also attracting internationally-praised celebrity chefs with new culinary concepts.

Vicky Karantzavelou

Vicky  is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the  Editor-in Chief . She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales.

She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.

• Vicky Karantzavelou https://www.traveldailynews.com/author/vicky-karantzavelou/ BeCause partners with WTTC to advance more sustainable hotel operations
• Vicky Karantzavelou https://www.traveldailynews.com/author/vicky-karantzavelou/ Le Petit Hôtel Notre-Dame to open in Summer 2024 in Montreal
• Vicky Karantzavelou https://www.traveldailynews.com/author/vicky-karantzavelou/ G Adventures expands "Jane Goodall Collection" in honour of renowned environmentalist’s 90th birthday 
• Vicky Karantzavelou https://www.traveldailynews.com/author/vicky-karantzavelou/ CEIR releases 2024 CEIR Index Report, continued growth forecast through 2026

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City of orlando.

It’s true: Orlando is a magical place. Every day here, no one is too old, or too young, to wear Mickey ears or wave a wand and cackle in delight. For family fun, there are theme parks that tap into your love affairs with comic-book heroes and galaxies far, far away, and leave you screaming at every free fall and splashdown. I-Drive is 11 miles of sensory overload such as The Orlando Eye at ICON Park and WonderWorks . Disney Springs combines shopping, food, attractions, and live entertainment. A short ride from the bright lights are outdoors adventures such as 72-degree springs and airboat rides in the headwaters of the Everglades. Plan your trip to Orlando:

THEME PARKS

Florida is epicenter of the world for theme parks. Orlando is the capital.

• Walt Disney World Resort
• Universal Orlando Resort
• SeaWorld Orlando
• LEGOLAND Florida Resort

MORE FAMILY FUN

Indoors and outdoors, in the air and underwater, the family activities will stimulate the senses and expand the mind.

• Water Parks
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OUTDOOR ADVENTURES

You can be a participant: swimming, paddling, golfing, hiking, cycling, and fishing. You can be a spectator: championship golf tournaments, and professional basketball and soccer.

From Orlando's outlet malls to Winter Park's Main Street to Disney Springs and Celebration, there is a smorgasbord of shopping tastes: elite brands, neighborhood-vibe boutiques, and welcome discounts

• Local Retail

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You can stay in a resort on the campus of an attraction -- with a water park for a swimming pool. You can bring the extended family to a vacation home. Imagine it. You can have it.

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Remember these names, Milk District, Mills 50, Thornton Park, SoDo, Audubon Park, and Ivanhoe Village.

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15 Best Things to Do in Orlando

By Paul Oswell

Entertainment looms large in Orlando, and thanks to its globally famous and universally loved theme parks, it's a world leader in welcoming families. Millions of people pass through the various Disney and Universal parks every year, often on their very own trip of a lifetime. Beyond the parks, though, there's a wealth of cultural and educational experiences to be had. Space ages past and present come alive at EPCOT and the Kennedy Space Center, and there's a call to nature at Gatorland and the Disney Wilderness Preserve. Downtown Orlando is often overlooked, but make time for Church Street and the Milk District, not to mention the upscale options at Winter Park. Wondering how much you were missing? Read on for our guide of what to do in Orlando and find out.

Church Street District Arrow

Downtown Orlando is a much-overlooked location, especially given the worldwide fame of its surrounding attractions. The neighborhood dates back to the 19th-century, and some of the period aesthetic remains in the form of wrought-iron balconies and bridges and cobbled streets. You won’t find huge malls; rather, smaller boutiques and independent stores and restaurants that offer an interesting alternative to the chains and global brands dominating most of the city.

Bok Tower Gardens Arrow

Quiet green spaces aren’t the first thing that spring to mind when one thinks of Orlando, but thanks to author and journalist Edward E. Bok, the city has at least one park where quiet contemplation and tranquility reign. Bok Tower Gardens consists of 250 acres of beautifully kept parkland that contains it own nature trail and bird sanctuary. It’s a welcome retreat from the clamor of the theme parks and it’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Orlando Science Center Arrow

A hands-on, science-focused museum of sorts has existed here in some form since the mid 1980s, but its modern incarnation opened in 1997. Today the Orlando Science Center is is a huge white building with glass and steel walkways. Across its four floors are eight themed exhibitions that cover a wealth of scientific subjects. The natural world is an especially strong theme, given the importance of the environment in Florida, but there are also dinosaurs and planetary exhibits that will transport minds of all ages to different times and worlds.

Gatorland Arrow

What began as a working farm in the 1950s has since grown into Gatorland, a wildlife attraction in its own right. Unlike the technologically focused parks of most of Orlando, this one has a more rustic, old-fashioned feel, but that doesn’t mean it has any less charisma. It’s now a zoo and sanctuary where you can see alligators up close, whether from the rickety wooden walkways or in a show, from tiny babies to huge adults laying out in the sun or slithering around the swamps and pools that comprise much of the parkland.

Shannon McMahon

CNT Editors

Hannah Towey

Legoland Florida Resort Arrow

Legoland Florida Resort is the largest of all Legoland theme parks. Beautifully situated on the shores of Lake Eloise, the complex offers a huge array of things to do, with exciting rides, chances to build with Lego bricks, Lego reproductions of cities and landmarks, live shows, and a water park. It’s a playful, hands-on atmosphere that has broad appeal for kids and adults alike.

The Milk District Arrow

The Milk District, built up around the TG Lee milk factory that dates back to the 1920s, has been an up-and-coming neighborhood in downtown Orlando since 2008. Over the course of a decade, businesses moved in and events cropped up. Now the area supports a community of stores, restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues. There’s a funky, DIY feel to the place, with food trucks, colorful street art, and stores, many converted from the industrial buildings that preceded them.

Icon Park Arrow

ICON Orlando, an entertainment complex, centers around a 400-foot observation wheel—the largest of its kind on the East Coast. It offers panoramic views of the surrounding region; it’s also one of the few places around that lets you ascend that high without also traveling upside down at 50 miles an hour on a coaster. Among the other main attractions are the underwater sights of Sea Life Orlando Aquarium, the celebrity lookalikes of Madame Tussaud’s Orlando, the 450-feet high swings of the Orlando Star Flyer, and the fascinating skeletons of the Museum of Osteology.

Kennedy Space Center Arrow

The Kennedy Space Center was most famously the launch pad for the Apollo 11 mission to the moon in 1969. Today the complex welcomes around 1.5 million visitors a year, and encompasses more than 130 square miles. One of the main draws here is the actual space shuttle, the Atlantis orbiter, which goes hand-in-hand with the Shuttle Launch Experience, an immersive simulator. It’s a comprehensive space experience, with real-life artifacts and spacecraft mixed in with impressive multimedia presentations.

Orlando Museum of Art Arrow

The idea of the Orlando Museum of Art dates back to 1924, but the modern-day facility, with its large, white, rotund exterior, was completed in 1997. The museum presents 10 or 12 onsite exhibitions at a time, and is home to one of the best collections of fine art in Florida. The collection here, which includes 2,400 objects, focuses on American art from the 18th century to the present day and international contemporary art. Paintings and photography are presented alongside textiles, pottery, and mixed media.

Disney Wilderness Preserve Arrow

Part of the price that Disney had to pay to develop so much land was to preserve some of it, and the Disney Wilderness Preserve, a nature conserve, opened to the public in 1992. The park contains around 12,000 acres of lakes and swampland that's home to a diverse selection of animals and plantlife. Interpretive trails wind around the grounds, which feel worlds removed from the clamor of theme parks—like a little a corner of tranquility and natural wonder.

Epcot Arrow

Epcot is actually an acronym and stands for the "Experimental Prototype Community Of Tomorrow." Originally intended to be a utopian version of the future, the park has developed into an educational center and a permanent version of the World’s Fair exhibition. The park's two halves encompass 250 acres; Future World is all about education and entertainment, while World Showcase pays tribute to international cultures. Parents will gain a well-rounded outing and kids will enjoy the interactive nature of the exhibits and, of course, the rides.

Universal Studios Florida Arrow

Once a single park, this facility eventually become two parks and an entertainment complex; Universal’s Islands of Adventure and Universal CityWalk are both stand-alone attractions in their own right. Universal Studios itself is a mix of high-octane rides and meticulously rendered movie sets that immerse park guests. It’s a relatively adult-friendly atmosphere, especially compared to the other major parks, but that’s not to say there aren’t plenty of things for kids. The park is also a working movie production studio.

Universal's Islands of Adventure Arrow

As Universal Studios grew, its sister theme park, Universal's Islands of Adventures, came into being. Today, it's a world-class theme park all its own, one with some of the most technologically advanced attractions you'll find anywhere in the world. The "islands" break down into Jurassic Park , The Wizarding World of Harry Potter , Marvel Super Hero, and Seuss Landing. This park is very much focused on rides rather than elaborate shows, making it slightly more appealing to older children and adults.

Disney's Hollywood Studios Arrow

For nearly 20 years, Disney's Hollywood Studios functioned as a working movie and TV production facility. That stopped in 2004, but today it remains a must-see park themed around Disney films. The attractions are a mix of rides and shows, and there’s also a fair amount of interactive, educational experiences. The most popular ride is the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror , arguably Orlando’s scariest ride, set in what looks like an abandoned hotel. The high-speed Rock 'n' Roller Coaster is also a crowd favorite.

Magic Kingdom Park Arrow

This world-famous theme park is the quintessential Disney experience, with an army of cartoon characters and 107 acres of rides and attractions that at once create a sense of nostalgia and a vision of the future. Seven "lands" evoke individual eras and themes, from the Wild West to jungle to space, all complimented by rollercoasters, parades, street performers, and the most popular Disney characters brought to life.

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Visit Orlando: Record 68 million people visited…

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Visit orlando: record 68 million people visited last year.

Despite lower hotel occupancy and lackluster attendance figures from theme parks, Visit Orlando said Thursday the region had a record 68 million visitors last year.

That surpasses 66 million people visiting Orlando in 2015.

“In aggregate, when you add it all up, we were still able to hold our own nicely,” Visit Orlando CEO George Aguel said in an interview Thursday before Visit Orlando’s annual luncheon announcing the record.

Visit Orlando’s 68 million tally covers people traveling into Orange, Seminole and Osceola counties, whether for a day trip or a weeklong vacation. Visit Orlando bases its estimates on information that includes government data and its own research.

“We try to come at it from many different directions,” Aguel said.

Difficulties for the tourism industry last year included a drop in Brazilian visitors, the Pulse nightclub shooting, Hurricane Matthew and fears about the Zika virus.

Hotel demand in the region dropped by half a percentage point. SeaWorld Entertainment last year blamed a “Florida problem” on dropping attendance. The Walt Disney Co. reported declines at Walt Disney World throughout much of last year. Universal Orlando’s parent company, Comcast Corp., does not give detailed information about its theme park attendance.

The Orange County Convention Center experienced an increase of 83,000 attendees to 1.46 million last year, and Orlando International Airport had 41.9 million passengers, up from 38.8 million.

Aguel pointed out that people visit for a number of reasons — whether it’s golf, shopping or theme parks.

“Especially with the high repeat amount of visitation, there is a lot more exploring,” Aguel said. “I think that’s why we are seeing … an increased diversity of folks doing other things … things that people don’t think about. We’re a golfers’ mecca. Water sports is huge here. They come for the parks. They come for the shopping … The numbers for shopping in this community are significant.”

International Drive’s growing offerings also factor in, said Sean Snaith, an economist with the University of Central Florida.

“There’s a lot of investment with the theme parks opening new attractions and future planned attractions, but a lot of smaller money going into I-Drive,” Snaith said. “There’s just a lot of momentum in the sector right now. I think it’s continuing to help to break these records.”

Domestic travelers make up about 90 percent of Orlando’s visitors. International visitors have increasingly become a concern, though.

Some experts predict an overall drop in foreign tourists as a result of the Trump administration’s actions, such as the president’s executive order temporarily banning travel from several predominantly Muslim countries, which has been blocked by a U.S. district judge and is being appealed. Trump also had made a campaign promise to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border to keep “bad hombres” from entering the country.

Visit Orlando has been increasing its domestic advertising, in part, to combat a potential drop in foreign travel here.

Because of the “increasingly loud narrative regarding international travel, it is critical we have strong competitive marketing … working for our destination,” Visit Orlando chairman Donald Engfer told an audience of hundreds Thursday.

Aguel told the Orlando Sentinel that “Brazil remains soft” so far this year. Traffic has been “flat from Canada, about the same from the UK … Back in ’16, we started seeing some growth in Mexico … We enjoyed that in ’16. Frankly we’re not going to enjoy that in ’17. That has gone the other way, regrettably.”

Aguel said the Florida Legislature’s decision to slash statewide tourism marketing agency Visit Florida’s budget is a concern, especially “not having that messaging internationally.”

But “we still have, fortunately, the Orlando brand … We’re using a lot of focus around the memories and emotional connection we make with guests.”

Attractions opening this summer, including Pandora — The World of Avatar at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Universal’s Volcano Bay water park, can help, said International Theme Park Services consulting firm president Dennis Speigel.

“I expect to see larger than normal year-over-year growth in the next three years based on the plethora of new product of a large nature coming on stream,” he said in an email.

Visit Orlando celebrated by setting a record of another kind Thursday: collecting the most thank-you cards — 3,144 — in one place. Visit Orlando coordinated the effort, having members of the tourism community write out cards thanking Orlando visitors for supporting the region. Those will be mailed out to people whose names are in a Visit Orlando database, a spokeswoman said.

[email protected] or 407-420-5240; Twitter @SandraPedicini

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Visit Orlando: Don’t Expect 2016 Tourism Numbers To Be As Dramatic As 2015

While 2015 was an historic year for tourism in central Florida, Visit Orlando says don’t expect this year to be as dramatic.

Visit Orlando CEO George Aguel said 33 million rooms were occupied last year, and the average room rate hit an all-time high of $113 a night.

International tourism was up last year, holiday tourism was robust, and so was the meeting and convention market.

Aguel said the boom exceeded his expectations, but growth could cool down this year. “Our feeling right now when you think about the increase in inventory that we have on the hotel side, might temper a little more its level of growth that we experienced in ‘15 over ‘14.”

Aguel said Orlando bucked national trends and saw growth in the number of Brazilian visitors, which is one of the area’s core markets.

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