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Travel Briefs - June 2006
Travel Patterns
TOP 10 --
Orlando has been named one of the top 10 domestic cities where adults with disabilities prefer to travel for business or pleasure, according to a Harris Interactive survey for the Open Doors Organization. The other cities are: New York, Washington, D.C., Chicago, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Atlanta, Dallas and San Diego.
HURRICANE HIT --
California and Florida top the list of favorite vacation destinations this summer, as always, but interest in Florida has declined significantly this year because of the 2004 and 2005 hurricanes, according to the 2006 National Leisure Travel Monitor conducted by Yesawich, Pepperdine, Brown & Russell/Yankelovich Partners in Orlando. The number of people interested in visiting Florida dropped to 32%, compared with 40% last year. However, interest in the Florida Keys and Orlando was up a few percentage points over 2005.
WEB DRAW --
A survey conducted by USDM.net, an interactive marketing agency that specializes in the travel industry, brought good news for 11 destinations nationwide, including Miami and Fort Walton Beach. The 2005 Tourism Economic Impact Report shows 55% of people who visited official websites of the destinations decided to travel there and spent $9 billion on lodging, dining, shopping, entertainment and transportation.
Attractions & Resorts
MEDIEVAL UPDATE --
Medieval Times in Kissimmee is undergoing a renovation and expansion scheduled to be completed in July that will add almost 4,000 square feet to the main waiting area. Upgrades also include a new gift shop, bar, drawbridge and ticketing area.
SPA GETAWAY --
Ocean Walk Resort in Daytona Beach has opened a Vacation Therapy Spa, the first of several planned by Orlando-based parent company Fairfield Resorts. Additional spas will be located in Orlando, Fort Lauderdale and other parts of the country.
HOTEL CONVERSION --
InterContinental Hotels Group has opened a Crowne Plaza hotel in Jacksonville, its 11th in the state. The Crowne Plaza Jacksonville-Riverfront underwent a $3-million renovation to convert it from the Hilton Jacksonville Waterfront.
CONNIE HONOR --
Doubletree Guest Suites in Naples tied with a sister hotel in Bay City, Mich., for the brand's top award. Each received a Connie Award, named in honor of company founder Conrad Hilton, for the highest overall performance in 2005.
