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Orlando becomes first U.S. destination to draw 50+ million visitors a year

Orlando remains the nation's most popular tourist destination

From Robert Niles
Posted May 24, 2011 at 10:06 AM
The Orlando tourism bureau announced today that the Orlando area had welcomed 51.5 million visitors in 2010, making Orlando the first U.S. destination to exceed 50 million visitors in a year.

Orlando beat New York to the milestone. The Big Apple welcomed just under 49 million visitors last year.


Comments in chronological order. Most recent at the bottom. Scroll down to respond.

From Rob P
Posted May 25, 2011 at 11:10 PM
So much for the reported recession then.

It shows that the combination of entertainment and accommodation costs in Orlando still represent good value for money when considering a holiday.

I would have to suppose that Harry Potter must have had a huge impact on attracting people into the area. Do you have any figures on this Robert ? Disney must still have the the lion's share of the theme park cake despite Universal's efforts. But the Orlando area has more to offer than just these theme park giants which must contribute to this success story.

From Tyler Bell
Posted May 26, 2011 at 5:05 AM
When does the annual theme park attendance report come out?

From Brian Emery
Posted May 26, 2011 at 6:14 AM
Very nice for Orlando….

I will assume this year will also be great with the addition of Lego Land and Bush Gardens Cheater Coaster.. Plus WWHOP is still booming…

From Robert Niles
Posted May 26, 2011 at 10:38 PM
Actually, a recession and a weak dollar help Orlando, because they keep U.S. tourists at home, and International tourists coming to the U.S.

From Rob P
Posted May 27, 2011 at 1:42 AM
Robert - I take your point about US holidaymakers staying at home for their vacations but the recession has bitten very hard here in the UK too and the cost of travelling to the US has become very expensive despite the attractive exchange rates.
For example I haven't been back to your country since 2006 when we used to visit every year.
The figures might not reflect this but maybe the visiting demographic has shifted back to a time when only the better-off could afford transatlantic trips. That's not necessarily a bad thing of course. I remember when people from the UK represented a far smaller proportion of those at the US holiday resorts and there will be those who might be grateful for that small mercy.

From Brian Emery
Posted May 27, 2011 at 6:42 AM
I was thinking about these numbers and now I am wondering how they calculate them. Is it just airport traffic (Which it can’t be because a lot of folks drive to Orlando).. Then I was thinking about theme park numbers(Can’t be that either because locals go to theme parks and duplication of going to the same parks more than once)….

Plus the convention center.. Then I thought maybe Hotel occupancy (but that can’t be it because who really knows how many are in a room)….

SO now I have no idea how these totals are calculated…

From TH Creative
Posted May 27, 2011 at 6:00 PM
WE ROCK! Bring on Legoland and the Fantasyland expansion!

From Rob P
Posted May 28, 2011 at 4:12 AM
You DO rock..........but how many hippos visit ? Numbers please.

From TH Creative
Posted May 28, 2011 at 12:16 PM
Water is too murky to maintain an accurate count. Such is life ... in the Jungle.

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