Disney shocks some by pulling brochures
Walt Disney World created a controversy when it pulled its colorful brochures from thousands of hotels, motels, restaurants and businesses throughout the state.
The reason: Disney says they do little to attract visitors staying at other Florida tourist destinations.
”Disney officials call it a business decision, but the move has angered some hoteliers and tourism executives,” said The Orlando Sentinel. They say their guests have been inconvenienced by the absence of information about Florida’s most popular attraction.
“Shock; that was my initial reaction,” said Bob Davis, president and chief executive officer of the Hotel Motel Association of Volusia County, which represents more than 100 hotels. “I am questioning why they would not want 8 million visitors who come to Daytona Beach and Volusia County every year. I think they made a poor decision.”
“We made a business decision,” said Bill Warren, Disney’s vice president of public affairs. “Our research indicated that the brochures that were in the hotels were not the reason for people to come to Disney.” He added:
“We are always evaluating the effectiveness of our marketing, and if something is not effective, it doesn’t necessarily make sense to keep investing in it.”
Steve Baker, an Orlando theme-park consultant and former Disney executive, said the move is in line with the company’s increased emphasis on getting visitors to stay at Disney-owned hotels and spend several days visiting all of the company’s theme parks.
“A hotel guest is a much more lucrative guest than a day guest,” Baker said.
Report by David Wilkening
David
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
In Italy, the Meloni government congratulates itself for its tourism achievements
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive