Sustaining Member Spotlight – Experience Kissimmee
As one of the most dynamic destinations for international travelers, Kissimmee continues to raise the bar with new attractions, expanded accommodations, and stronger partnerships with inbound operators. We caught up with our newest Sustaining Partner, the Experience Kissimmee team, to learn what’s new, what’s trending, and how they’re preparing local stakeholders for international success.
✈️ What’s New for International Travelers?
Kissimmee has no shortage of exciting updates for international visitors. EPIC Universe officially opened on May 22, 2025, adding a major new theme park to the region. Other highlights include EPCOT’s Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, the Kennedy Space Center’s Gateway attraction, and Wild Florida’s Drive-Thru Safari, offering fresh ways to experience Florida’s wildlife and space exploration.
Visitors can also enjoy newly renovated hotels—Holiday Inn SW Celebration, Delta by Marriott Celebration, and Holiday Inn by the Parks—along with personalize stays at boutique gems such as the ette hotel (a Michelin Key winner), The Inn at Celebration, and Spectrum Resort at Reunion.
And of course, Kissimmee continues to shine as the Vacation Home Capital of the World, with an ever-growing inventory of professionally managed properties ranging from cozy one-bedroom condos to sprawling 15-bedroom themed estates.
Longtime favorites still play a big role: Old Town’s Classic Car Parade is celebrating its 40th anniversary, while Gatorland (marks 76 years of family fun) continue to showcase Kissimmee's heritage. On the culinary side, Kissimmee is expanding its Latin and Asian dining scene, with the exclusive Latin Food Trail list curated by Atlas Obscura launching September 17, 2025.
🤝 Keys to Successful Operator-Supplier Partnerships
With a global reach that has expanded from 9 source markets in 2020 to 17 today, Experience Kissimmee places strong emphasis on strategic collaboration with inbound tour operators. These partnerships are crucial for both product development and extending international sales reach.
“We’re committed to deeper collaboration, ensuring operators have the tools, insights, and support needed to promote Kissimmee effectively across diverse markets,” shared Yinglu Tian, Sr. Director of International & Domestic Sales, Experience Kissimmee. "This alignment drives mutual growth while delivering more tailored experiences to international travelers,"
🌍 Trends in International Visitation
For Kissimmee, the focus remains on core international regions like Canada, the UK, Brazil, and Mexico, while expanding into emerging markets through strategic partnerships.
Travelers are increasingly seeking flexible, experience-driven itineraries, with strong interest in vacation homes, boutique hotels, and multi-generational travel. Booking behavior has shifted toward shorter planning windows, mobile-first platforms, and personalized experiences. Visitors are also showing more interest in nature-based activities, culinary exploration, and cultural authenticity, aligning well with Kissimmee’s offerings—from drive-thru safaris and space attractions to diverse dining and heritage events.
Experience Kissimmee continues to invest in brand awareness and community engagement, ensuring the destination remains top-of-mind for international travelers looking for both adventure and comfort.
📚 Preparing Stakeholders for Global Success
Experience Kissimmee is committed to preparing local stakeholders for success in international markets. Represented in 17 global markets, the team collaborates with tour operators through in-market training and supports local partners via the biennial EXPEDITION Kissimmee workshop, which brings 70 international buyers to the destination for site inspections and marketplace networking. The newly launched Kissimmee RoadShow targets emerging markets like France, Netherlands, Spain, China, Colombia, and Argentina, focusing on agent training around key products such as vacation homes. EK also works directly with inbound tour operators on partner training and has hosted Lunch & Learn workshops with platforms like HBX, Expedia, and Booking.com to help local partners better understand how to work with these systems and optimize bookings. An upcoming event in Puerto Rico (January 2026) will train 100 agents in collaboration with HBX, combining destination insights with platform-specific sales strategies.
With new attractions, expanded accommodations, and a clear focus on collaboration and training, Experience Kissimmee is paving the way for inbound operators and stakeholders to thrive in today’s international travel market.