TORONTO — Visit Florida and its partners including Visit St. Pete-Clearwater, Visit Pensacola, Visit Orlando and Visit Greater Miami showcased the spirit of the season this week at an event held at Toronto’s Distillery Winter Village.
Despite the chilly temperatures outside, the warm and inviting setting inside set the tone for the evening, attended by the travel trade and media members.
‘We’re delighted and grateful to have you here and thrilled to be in Toronto,” said Gabriel Martinez, Director of Global Travel Trade at Visit Florida, as he welcomed guests.
As a visitor, there are many compelling reasons to visit the Sunshine State.
With Canada’s winter officially underway, Martinez highlighted why Florida remains an iconic vacation destination, offering “new and unique experiences” and “marvellous weather” for everyone year-round.
And the good news keeps getting better.
With over 3.2 million Canadian visitors last year and 2.5 million up to the third quarter this year, Canada impressively ranks at the top of Florida’s international market list and is a testament to the state’s appeal.
“We celebrate those numbers. Those are big numbers for us,” Martinez remarked. “And we’re happy to welcome everyone.”
To celebrate, Visit Florida, in collaboration with its partners, is hosting an activation which runs every day until Jan. 5 in Toronto’s Distillery Winter Village.
“Although not actual sunshine, we aim to bring the warmth and sunshine to Canadians and immerse you and your potential clients in a Florida ambiance through a multi-sensory experience, inspiring you to plan trips to Florida next year,” said Martinez.
IT’S NOT ALL BEACH
As each partner shared some notable nuggets, there was a consistent message at the event: the diversity and uniqueness each destination brings to the table goes beyond the beautiful powdery beaches.
Nicole Stacey, VP of Destination Development for Visit Pensacola, located in the panhandle and known as the western gate to the state, shared a historical fact about Pensacola’s establishment in 1559. It was America’s first settlement with “deep roots” and is home to the U.S. Navy Blue Angels.
“Family friendly” with an appeal to “multi-gens,” Pensacola offers festivals and events that have something for everyone.
St. Pete-Clearwater, located on the Gulf Coast, is the “peninsula within the peninsula,” made up of “wonderful little communities that make up the entire destination.” And for spring training, the Toronto Blue Jays are at TD Ballpark.
Jason Latimer, Director of Public Relations, was on site to explain that pristine beaches aside, the area has several museums emphasizing art, most notably the Dali Museum, which offers the “most prolific collection of artists’ work outside of Spain.”
Also noteworthy is the Imagine Museum, which features a spectacular collection of contemporary glass art. There are also opportunities for hands-on art experiences, including pottery and glass blowing.
Canada’s affinity with Orlando remains strong, with 1.2 million visitors alone last year, outpacing the UK by far.
As Laura Kreutzer, Travel Industry Sales Director – North America, noted, “There is always something new in Orlando. Fun fact: it would take 120 days to experience everything.”
The culinary scene in Orlando is thriving, boasting seven Michelin-starred restaurants and an additional 48 recognized by the Michelin Guide.
With numerous outdoor activities and state parks to explore, there are many more reasons for visitors to extend their stay.
Greater Miami & Convention Center is excited to announce the launch of their campaigns, ‘Find Your Miami’ and ‘Miami Beach Find Your Wave.’
Joanne Scalamogna, a trade agency representative based in Toronto, stated that these campaigns “invite visitors to explore the diversity Miami and Miami Beach have to offer through arts, culture and outdoor adventures.”
And, as the top culinary destination featuring 14 Michelin-starred restaurants, food enthusiasts visiting Miami are in for a treat.
Travel to Miami has also become more accessible this year, thanks to the reintroduced nonstop route from Vancouver to Miami with Air Canada, and Porter’s service from Toronto Pearson International Airport.
For more information on Visit Florida and its partners, check out these sites:
https://www.visitstpeteclearwater.com
https://www.miamiandbeaches.com
https://www.visitpensacola.com/
