Chris Cigna

The 10-year plan for Orlando Tourism Had the chance to go to the annual Visit Orlando luncheon this past with a focus on the future. As a DMO (Destination Marketing Organization). VO is essentially tasked with driving visitation to Central Florida funded through tax dollars that tourists pay. While nothing groundbreaking was announced, attendees did have an opportunity to provide input towards the development of a 10-year tourism plan for the region. As a fan of theme parks, I was interested to hear what the hot topics would be. Here are two key takeaways that resonated with me: 1. Iconic Events: The Power of Tentpole Attractions One section of the discussion emphasized the creation of "tentpole attractions" within the city to boost off-season visitation. This strategy echoes successful events like Halloween Horror Nights at Universal and  The Food & Wine Festivals at Disney, which have become major draws in themselves.  Imagine future events that capture the imagination and encourage visitors to plan trips specifically around these experiences, extending Orlando's tourist season beyond peak periods. 2. Building a Talented Workforce: A Shared Challenge Attracting and retaining top talent remains a critical hurdle, further complicated by the ongoing housing affordability issue. If Orlando is going to grow, we need to have a workforce that can support this growth. We’re nowhere near AI being able to clean a hotel room. Theme parks, aware of this challenge, have activated some programs to help with staffing needs. This includes actively investing in college programs and international recruitment initiatives to get people on-site for a committed period of time. These efforts ensure a (somewhat) reliable and passionate workforce that can provide the labor hours, especially during peak seasons. What do you think? Are there bigger issues facing Orlando and other theme park-driven destinations? ### 🎢 If you found this interesting and want to learn more about the business of theme parks, give me a follow Tay Mauro #themeparks #orlando

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𝐆𝐨𝐨𝐠𝐥𝐞 𝐇𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭 𝐀𝐜𝐭 Have you noticed some recent changes on the 𝐆𝐨𝐨𝐠𝐥𝐞 𝐇𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐥 section? 👀 👉 𝑺𝒘𝒊𝒑𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒔𝒆𝒍 𝒕𝒐 𝒅𝒊𝒔𝒄𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒆 and dive into our latest article where we break down the most significant updates and share our expert insights and tips on how to navigate these changes effectively: https://lnkd.in/eZ8FVguA

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Are you tasked with finding the perfect hotel/venue for your next conference or event? Let me help you! As a meeting planning expert, I specialize in finding venues that exceed expectations. Message me for more information! #SharonGatesBooksMeetings #MeetingProfs #EventProfs

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Travel truly IS essential! For wellness, infrastructure, economic boosts and so much more. ❓Where are your fave places to travel? Stay? Eat? Hidden gems? Best service you’ve ever had? Tag your place(s) in the comments below 👇🏽 and let’s get folks experiencing the power of hospitality! 🫶💫🍍

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Finding the ideal online booking tool (OBT) for your business might seem like a daunting task... but it doesn't need to be! 😌 BCD's new how-to guide walks you through nine simple steps to help ensure your OBT does what it should: https://ow.ly/GixQ50RAkTh

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Real talk vs. Fake talk. Miriam Ramsey and I join Scott Fasano, Adam Norko & Conrad O'Connell on The Art of Hospitality podcast to discuss: - Short-term perspective is challenging with lower nights booked and lower average daily rates - Long-term prospects of the industry are strong b/c travelers value experience and vacation rentals offer great experiences - People/companies raised expenses when times were good and now cuts are difficult - Social media influencers promoted how easy the industry is, but now it’s hard. (we name people like Wil Slickers) - Short term, we need real talk from people with experience - Vacation rental management is hard - What happens if/when last minute bookings don’t come - Costs are up across the board - Get lean and set expectations - Low commission and high overhead doesn’t work - Many in the industry are facing a downturn that they’ve never had to face before - We need to hear from professional managers that have done this before - There is a large portion of the industry that doesn’t make money, or worse, is losing money - Unit count means nothing - V-Trips has trimmed down 1,000 units - Do a P&L for all units - Get rid of bad units - Profit matters - Value of “old guard” vs. “new voices” - Happy talk vs. real talk - People are in very difficult situations - We should be cutting travel expenses - Time for financial discipline - Value of learning from the best - Challenges ahead for conferences - Challenges for vendors - How does Steve grade V-Trips - Value of local brands - Value of constructive criticism - Value of change & the opportunities that arise - Value of apprehension and attention to detail Click here now for the podcast: https://lnkd.in/en24ew-S

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Why is technology investment good for the hospitality industry - and travelers? This year, hotel IT decision makers around the world are challenging the status quo to evolve their businesses and improve operations. Travelers benefit from tech investments through quicker, smoother service and personalized offers. From AI to distribution and data analytics, read about the new technologies hoteliers are investing in this year in this new article for PhocusWire: https://gag.gl/sQ3Zuz

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Simplify the hotel booking process: Interactive Pricing Filters at Your Fingertips We know that budget is a top priority for travelers when booking a stay. Our GX design methodology includes an intuitive feature that allows potential guests to toggle prices up and down, finding the perfect room within their budget at a glance. This feature ensures that users don't just see what's available; they see what's affordable for them, all in real-time and directly connected to the booking engine.

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This is a MUST read for all involved in incentive travel experiences! Whether you are a customer or supplier - the knowledge of attendee preferences is invaluable as we work to deliver incentive travel experiences! Take the time to download and read this Study in full!! #incentives #incentivetravel #cruise #wearecruise #irfinvitational2024

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The Cornerstone Information Systems Index is meant to reflect the health of the travel industry according to the data that they have available. It's quite interesting. There was a 5.47% decrease in total processed trips from February 2024 to March 2024. Below are the numbers regarding the March 2024 travel index:  Avg Trip Spend $1,544  Avg Air Spend $801  Avg Hotel Spend $543  Avg Car Rental Spend $199

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Group travel is a key component of an effective sales strategy for hoteliers, but responding to a request for proposal (RFP) can be time consuming, resource intensive, and sometimes fruitless. This doesn’t have to be the case. By taking stock of your strengths, you can identify which opportunities to pursue and create open channels of communication with planners to maximize bookings and win more market share. John Russell, Product Director, Sales & Event Management, Hospitality, Amadeus explains how to take the friction out of group RFPs in this article for Premier Hospitality Magazine: https://lnkd.in/ehQ-mqe9

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💡 Lots of information in just one report. Check out BCD's Q2 Travel Market Report. In this edition, we look at the latest airline industry outlook, hotel rates and travel policy trends. 🔎 Explore the trends shaping #BusinessTravel: https://ow.ly/jzXl50Sq7U4 #TravelTrends

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Understanding Travel and destinations is hard if you only look at one dimension, we at Amadeus have the privilege of being able to combine more than just one, see below how we do it, and learn more about Destinations

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When SHE Evolves, HE Takes Notice, and WE All Evolve Together. As a husband, partner, and business ally, I’ve had the privilege of watching Sarah Pirie-Nally pour her heart and soul into creating a transformative experience and community for women. The results have been nothing short of awe-inspiring. From women taking bold leaps to play bigger, publishing their first books, selling their businesses, and booking $100,000 worth of workshops inspired by their time at She Evolves Fiji, the transformations across life, relationships, career, and wealth have been epic. When you surround yourself with not only like-minded but, more importantly, like-hearted individuals, anything is possible. To my incredible wife, thank you for showing us what’s possible. Maybe it's time for me to step off the sidelines and create something for the men who stand beside these amazing women. #HeEvolves "When SHE Evolves, HE Takes Notice, and WE All Evolve Together" Imagine the spark of curiosity and engagement that an event or experience can ignite. These gatherings are catalysts for transformation, and no one ever went backwards by investing in themselves. When times are tough, and there are more reasons to say no to investing in yourself, remember this: I recently invested $25,000 into a business coach with a proven track record of taking businesses from local to global. The first week has generated 3 leads that could lead to multiple 6 figure US based clients This journey underscores the power of believing in your potential and surrounding yourself with a community that lifts you higher. Let’s embark on this adventure together, transforming not only our own lives but also the lives of those around us. It’s time for us all to evolve, together. 25 Spaces left in Byron Bay. I also invite 10 men that are interested to be part of the first HEevolves https://lnkd.in/g4pu2WsC #Transformation #Community #SheEvolves #HeTakesNotice #WeEvolve #InvestInYourself #GrowthMindset #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #PersonalDevelopment

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There has never been a better time to build a lifelong hotel career! AHLA's Front Desk Feedback survey of 456 hoteliers finds: 💰 86% of respondents have increased wages 🕖 52% have offered greater flexibility with hours  🏖️ 33% have expanded benefits Still, 76% of surveyed hoteliers report staffing shortages. AHLA is lobbying Congress and the administration for a variety solutions to grow the workforce. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/eyzU9V-u

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Can't wait for Part Two of the series! 🌟 SEO is crucial for any business, and learning from an expert like Trish Leighton is an incredible opportunity. Don't miss out – make sure to register! #Vizergy #SEOtips #DigitalMarketing #SearchEngineOptimization #WebTraffic #OnlineMarketing

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If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed by the demands of work and life, I have a suggestion that might just change everything: take a break and stay in Puerto Rico, where you can find a truly relaxing environment. Here’s why this can be a game-changer. From the moment you step into this beautiful island, you’ll notice an immediate shift. The warm, welcoming locals, the soothing scenery, and the peaceful ambiance create a sanctuary where you can let go of your worries and stress. Imagine waking up each morning feeling refreshed and ready to explore the vibrant culture and stunning landscapes of Puerto Rico. The serene atmosphere helps you unwind and recharge, making it easier to leave behind the pressures of daily life. This experience isn’t just about a temporary escape—it’s about finding a place where you can rejuvenate and gain a fresh perspective. Sometimes, staying in Puerto Rico can be so transformative that it inspires you to consider new possibilities. I’ve found myself so captivated by the charm and beauty of Puerto Rico that I began to consider it as a potential new home. There’s something special about discovering a place where you can truly relax and feel at peace. So, if you’re looking for a way to de-stress and reset, I highly recommend taking a getaway to Puerto Rico. Whether it’s a weekend retreat or a longer stay, finding the right environment can make all the difference. And who knows, you might just find yourself falling in love with this enchanting island and considering a move.  Take the step to find your sanctuary in Puerto Rico. You deserve it.

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