Canadians invited to Experience Kissimmee

Despite the current exchange rate, Kissimmee continues to welcome Canadian travellers heading south.

The destination and 12 partners representing various properties and attractions met with the Canadian travel trade this week, showcasing new developments for 2016 and beyond.

According to Nori Rodriguez, communications director for Experience Kissimmee, Canada continues to be among the destination’s top international markets; while specific numbers for Canadian travellers were unavailable, Canada – alongside Brazil and the U.K. – contributed to the 2.1 million international arrivals in 2015, in addition to 5 million domestic travellers.

While often counted alongside nearby Orlando and its many world-renowned travel draws (such as Universal Orlando Resort and Walt Disney World Resort) when discussed as a travel destination, Rodriguez told PAX that Kissimmee offers a number of other attractions, many based on the local geography and wildlife, such a Gatorland, where guests can meet the reptiles up close and personal, or take a zipline ride over the property.

In particular, the variety of accommodations offered in Kissimmee has been the subject of a recent promotional push: deeming itself the ‘Vacation Home Capital of the World,’ Kissimmee offers vacationers everything from stand-alone homes and apartments to lavish properties such as the Reunion (part of Preferred Hotels & Resorts).

And while talk continues of Canadians opting for Europe and other international destinations over the U.S. due to the current value of the loonie, Kissimmee and Florida overall are seemingly immune.

Citing a report by the Conference Board of Canada regarding U.S. travel by Canadians over the last year, Danielle Dunn, sales manager – North America for Experience Kissimmee, said that Kissimmee is not feeling the effects of a weakened Canadian dollar as much as other U.S. destinations, adding that the variety of travel attractions and styles offered by Kissimmee have helped mitigate the effects of the current Canada-U.S. exchange rate.

“If you look at the U.S., the numbers are saying visitation is down six per cent,” Dunn said, "but when you look at Florida, it’s only a decrease of four per cent and if you drill down even further to the Orlando-Kissimmee area, it’s closer to one or two per cent, or even flat. Given the challenges we’re facing with currency, it’s very encouraging news.

“The dollar is a challenge but we’re very well-positioned to meet it and have a great 2016,” she added.

More information is available at www.experiencekissimmee.com.