Trend Magazine Online
Travel News November 2015

In correlation with this exciting milestone, VISIT FLORIDA and our Partners hosted a group of 30 Emirates Holiday and Emirates airline staff on a familiarization tour (FAM). The group was a mix of frontline employees responsible for booking vacation packages directly with clients, along with senior sales and management members. Time was of the essence as the group toured Orlando for four nights and Miami for two, visiting 10 attractions and 12 hotel sites. With the help of Visit Orlando, we arranged a non-stop, thrilling tour including visits to Disney, Universal, SeaWorld and Discovery Cove. The Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau arranged for the FAM group to meet Miami up-close and personal on the Hop On Hop Off City Sightseeing Tour bus. Also as part of the tour, the group visited hotel sites perfect for families and royalty to plan their Florida vacation.

In addition, to spread awareness of the Florida product, Emirates Holidays published a 38-page Florida vacation brochure as a resource for travel agents to use with clients. Emirates is also regularly sending staff to Florida to gain first-hand experience and knowledge of the Sunshine State, as well as explore potential new partnerships.

The Middle East, Africa and India represented roughly 333,000 visitors to Florida in 2014, with an annual spending power of $519 million. With the addition of this direct daily service from Dubai, these numbers are expected to continue to increase.