We’re #1 With Kissimmee

with Caroline Booth

It was a full house on the 7
^th floor penthouse of Toronto's Soho Metropolitan Hotel recently where local travel partners were hosted to a VIP luncheon
by Experience Kissimmee. The occasion was an opportunity to meet DT
Minich, the organization's new President & CEO who was in Canada
for the 1
^st time under the Kissimmee banner. Along with local airline,
tour operator and theme park reps, Florida based partners CND Homes; Fun Spot;
Ramada Gateway and Westgate Resort reps were also on hand.

"We're here today to say thank you," said Minich. "Canada is our
#1 international market. It always has been and I know that it always will
be." The destination experienced a record winter in 2014, and although
Minich joked about it being in part a result of a certain “snow and ice dance"
marketing tactic that prompted Canadians to flock to the sunshine state, there
really is no question that central Florida can draw visitors based on its own
merits without the help of divine intervention. “It is the gateway to all theme
parks. One of the beauties of Kissimmee is we have the easy access, and we have
great product and a really diverse product in terms of hotels and
accommodations."

Touted as the
vacation home rental capital of the world, the area will soon see an influx in
upgrades to existing properties and the development of 1000 new vacation homes
in the next 12 months alone. Most will be located just outside the gates of
Disney including the Magic Village Resort, a boutique style luxury resort
featuring 180 villas with 3 and 4 bedroom suites,
fully equipped kitchens and patios with barbecues. Not only all of that – but, the 3
storey homes actually have private
elevators.

Having spent the last several
years on Florida's west coast, Minich has been getting
to know his new turf for the past 9 months and
says he is impressed by all Kissimmee has to see and do. “We can offer the man-made world famous theme parks but also offer
the true Florida experience. One day be in the shadow of the world's most
famous castle, and the next be kayaking the headwaters of the everglades in the
shadows of 2 and 3 hundred year old cypress trees." And here's an interesting fact:
Osceola County shares population statistics with a region in Alaska for hosting the largest bald eagle count in North America.
Thanks to the area's varied topography and many lakes that are teaming with
fish, the eagles are present year-round. “There's
a natural side to central Florida that people don't even realize."

With Minich at the helm, the
organization has already undergone significant changes. It is no longer a government agency having
gone private last year. The advantage is the ability for more
flexibility in the marketplace and the ability to react much quicker to trends
and doing things
'outside the box'.
Minich has been hostomg
town hall meetings where travel partners are encouraged to ask questions and
share ideas.

Another change is with the
organization's Board of Directors, which is now made up of representatives from
all of the theme parks, major resorts and tourism companies. Prior to this,
members were elected officials who may not have had as much of a deep
understanding of the tourism industry. A look ahead to 2016 will see the allocation of more resources to international markets - a plan that has garnered full support of the
Board.

"Canada is extremely important to us and will continue to be extremely
important," said Minich. “We see so many partners here who have continued to
bring business to Florida through the years. You make us a success and we want
to make you a success. Together we can work to sell central Florida and
Kissimmee."