International Travel Trends to Orlando

A recent flurry of positive press releases from the US Department of Commerce indicates that international travel to the United States continues to rebound. Although vacation home rentals are enjoyed by both domestic and international travellers, global guests especially enjoy the comforts of rental homes here in Central Florida. Although United Kingdom visitors have traditionally been at the core of this industry, disposable income growth in such countries as Canada, Brazil and Mexico have allowed for a growing outbound visitor market in each of these countries.

In the latest report from the Office of Tourism and Travel Industries, some very encouraging signs of international travel growth to the United States have emerged:

The latest numbers indicate that there have been 8 consecutive month over month international travel volume increases to the United States
The US Department of Commerce has already revised upward its long term growth projections out to 2015 as a result of this continuing good news. These growth numbers continue to point to a 6-9% annual growth rate out to 2015 for international tourism.
International travel volume is up 12% for the first several months of 2010 over 2009
China, Brazil and Korea all have shown some big year over year increases in international visitation to the United States

Orlando Travel Figures

As it relates to trends impacting international travel to Orlando Florida, a couple of figures jump out:

Western European travel to the United States is up 10% cumulatively 2010 year-to-date. However, travel volume from the United Kingdom is actually down for this period.
Canadian visitation is up a robust 16% 2010 year to date. The country’s stable currency, growing middle class and competitive personal incomes allow it to boost the local tourism market.
Canadian travel to the United States is clearly the largest driver of growth and volume for inbound international tourism.

Rental homes in Central Florida are clearly on an upward trajectory as well. We have several community review updates to post in the near future for new or existing resorts. Many are the result of favorable trends we are seeing in care and quality for the area resorts. Resorts such as Windsor Hills Rentals, Emerald Island Vacation Villas, and Windsor Palms continue to stay very busy and are filling up quickly for the holidays. This is all very good news due to the fact that robust business conditions help keep the quality on a high level, and as rentals gain notoriety with international visitors.