What is the best way to get to your destination?

Nestled between Orlando and Tampa, Florida’s Polk County is an escape from the big smoke, while still close enough to all the famous attractions of sunny Central Florida. Visitors can fly directly from the UK and Ireland into Orlando International airport, and it is around a 1-hour-20-minute drive to Polk County. Alternatively, clients can fly directly into Tampa International airport, which is around one hour’s drive. 

What are the must-see sights or must-do activities?

Central Florida is the place for family fun in the sun. No matter where you are, you are just minutes away from unforgettable adventures. From sampling the burgeoning food scenes in Winter Haven or Lakeland, cruising on the area’s historic Chain of Lakes, to catching a foul ball of a Detroit Tiger baseball player during spring training. When it comes to theme parks, the area is home to LEGOLAND® Florida Resort with its newest attraction, Galacticoaster, LEGOLAND® – Florida’s first indoor space-themed family coaster. And just a few muddie puddles away, a park devoted to everyone’s favourite pink pre-schooler, Peppa Pig Theme Park. Clients can take a stroll to the 205-foot-tall Bok Tower, or visit the largest collection of famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s work on the Florida Southern College campus.  

What are the accommodation options?

Central Florida is an affordable area for holiday homes close to all the famous attractions of Orlando located in areas like Davenport and Haines City – Polk County is home to over 8,000 holiday homes. There are also over 8,100 hotel rooms in the area with noteworthy hotels including the Streamsong Resort Lodge, The Courtyard by Marriott in Winter Haven, Spring Hill Suites and The Terrace Hotel in Lakeland, as well as the Holiday Inn Orlando Breeze Resort. Or clients can opt to stay at unique accommodations at spots like Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo, where you can stay in teepees or wagons; or in luxury safari tents at the Safari Wilderness Serengeti Camping Experience. At Camp Margaritaville they can stay in a wonderful cabana, perfect for families.

When should clients visit?

School holidays are busier for Central Florida, but during the hotter summer months you can enjoy some wonderful festivals and events such as Bok Tower Gardens’ 'Concerts under the Stars' and waterskiing shows in the 'waterskiing capital of the world'. 

How long should clients stay?

Central Florida is the ideal base to get out and explore the surrounding cities and theme parks, but offers a welcome and relaxing escape from the crowds. Clients like to stay in the area for one or two weeks, using it as the ideal base to explore the surrounding area, or spending a week before heading to the east or west coast for a beach break. 

What tools can agents use?

We have some great resources to help sell the destination including fact sheets, images and videos – email margaret@henrikssonmarketing.com to receive these or download the Visit Central Florida travel guide.

The Visit Central Florida Tourism Institute is an innovative travel advisor training and sales platform which is a complete training, marketing and sales tool purpose-built for travel advisor partners. 

Once advisors complete the training course, they are  rewarded with not just a diploma as a certified Central Florida Insider, but by also unlocking the trademarked Sales Companion. The companion is a resource for advisors to maintain expert knowledge, start conversations with clients and prospects by sharing engaging creative assets, and ultimately make bookings with deep sales support tailored specifically to their needs.

Where can agents find out more?

Visit our website or go straight to the Travel Professionals page. The Visit Central Florida Tourism Institute can be accessed online, on mobile by visiting the App Store or Google Play, from the Visit Florida Travel Pro platform, and via TravPRO Mobile’s travel advisor super-app, TheSOURCE.

Trade team contact details

Name: Margaret Henriksson 
Email address: margaret@henrikssonmarketing.com 
Phone number: 07786626142