KISSIMMEE, Fla. – Kissimmee leaders are working to attract more visitors to the city through new initiatives and research-driven marketing strategies.
As economic uncertainty looms, this effort aims to address travelers’ evolving needs. On Wednesday, Experience Kissimmee held an update on the destination and its push to increase tourism.
“We have the industry here — restaurants, hotels, attractions, and a lot of government officials — to update them on our marketing efforts and future plans,” Experience Kissimmee CEO DT Minich said.
One strategy to increase visits is through “gastro tourism,” a growing trend centered on food experiences. The city’s first initiative in this area is the launch of a new “Latin Food Trail.”
“We’re partnering with a company called Atlas Obscura and we’re developing a ‘Latin Food Trail’ because we have such a history of Latin culture here in Osceola County,” Minich explained. “We have so many amazing restaurants from Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Mexico, and the Caribbean all over, and so we’re going to be highlighting all of these amazing food opportunities because what they’re calling ‘gastro tourism’ is the hottest thing right now. People are traveling as foodies to experience the food of a destination.”
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“It’s going to be an interactive map that shows where the restaurants are, along with information about the restaurant, the chef, the country, and links to the menus,” Minich said.
Minich also touted the two new hotels that are in development in Osceola County which will provide more accommodation options for visitors.
“Ovation Place and Everest Place are both starting — one at the far end of 192 and the other at the corner of 192 and I-4,” he said. “So those have both started. They probably won’t be up until ’27, but that’s going to add a lot of luxury rooms to the product here in Osceola County.”
These new offerings aim to attract visitors who, according to Experience Kissimmee’s research, are seeking more bang for their buck.
“One in seven Americans said they’d adjust their travel plans,” said Frida Bahja, director of research at Experience Kissimmee. “They’re looking for more affordable destinations or those that offer better value.”
