International Travel Growth to Orlando

Wait, some good news for the United States economy?

With the release of the latest 2011 Office of Travel and Tourism statistics, some excellent news emerges and many Americans might be surprised. In the First Half of 2011, a  $23 Billion dollar surplus was generated from international visitors in the United States. In other words, international travel spending by individuals coming to the United States is $23 Billion higher than what Americans are spending abroad.

Even better, this staggering number is growing. In July 2011, spending by international travellers in the United States was 15% higher than what is was in July 2010. Similarly, for the July 2011 travel stats cumulative year to date figure is 13% higher. As international global travel to the United States continues to expand, the trade surplus to the benefit of the United States could top $50 Billion in 2011. This is why the recent blog post on the International Trusted Traveler program makes so much sense.

Travel Gains Growth

Wall Street analysts also continue to project single digit 4-5% gains in incremental global travel over the next 5 years due to rising online travel bookings via the internet. According to the Investors Business Daily, online global travel may be in its early growth stages especially in Asia and Europe where travel booked via the internet is much lower (as a %) than in the United States. Rising online bookings should continue to lift international travel.

For the Orlando and Vacation home rental market, this is welcome news. For those independent sources that book vacation rentals online such as HomeAway, this should help provide some tailwinds from which to grow in the coming years. For it is often the savvy international traveller that enjoys and savours the many luxuries that vacation villas have to offer. Internationals love vacation homes as the accommodation of choice.

Fortunately, and to the benefit of international guests, the Central Florida vacation home market is unique in many ways. The large variety of homes in over 85+ neighborhoods attracts a very diverse customer clientele including, but not limited to Canadians, South and Central Americans, Europeans and Americans desiring to enjoy all the comforts of home while on a longer term average stay vacation. This uniqueness also extends to the size of accommodations and amenities available in your private vacation home. Vacation rentals don’t have the “brand” power that hotels have to offer, but they certainly have a loyal and diverse customer base that enjoys all the luxuries that vacation homes have to offer.

For information on the many resorts in Orlando, Clermont, Kissimmee and Davenport, consult our home page for most vacation home communities in these areas. These pages contain details on such important factors as location, quality and physical attributes of the resort. Have a great vacation in Central Florida!