Home – Connect – Selling Travel Connect – First Florida Games held in Glasgow and Manchester
Agents from Glasgow and Manchester were treated to two Selling Travel Connect: Florida events with a unique twist.
VISIT FLORIDA representatives and partners were present to meet with travel advisors and share news and selling tips from their destinations.
Partners in attendance included Bradenton Area CVB; Daytona Beach Area CVB; Florida Keys and Key West; Florida’s Space Coast Office of Tourism; Kennedy Space Center and Visitor Complex; Naples, Marco Island, Everglades – Florida’s Paradise Coast; Visit Central Florida and Visit Panama City Beach.
Attendees took part in the inaugural Florida games, forming teams that competed in golf, basketball, football and race-simulator games for the chance to win a trip to Florida.
As well as playing fun games and being treated to delicious food and drinks, they also had opportunities to have face-to-face meetings with representatives from across The Sunshine State.
In case you were not able to be there in person but are looking to impress your clients, you can wow them with these fascinating facts and key messages from Florida partners:
The Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau is spotlighting Florida’s laid-back Gulf Coast charm across Bradenton, Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key. The destination is known for its unspoilt beaches, boutique shopping and a growing dining scene, alongside a strong focus on self-catering accommodation, with properties ranging from two- to nine-bedroom villas available through major tour operators.
Located on Florida’s Gulf Coast, the area is positioned as an accessible twin- or multi-centre option, sitting around two hours from Orlando and under an hour from Tampa. With its mix of laid-back coastal living and flexible accommodation options, the Bradenton area continues to appeal to families and groups seeking a more relaxed Florida escape.
Fun fact: The Bradenton Area, on Florida’s West Coast, is home to the USA’s only non-migratory pod of dolphins. That makes the destination on the south side of Tampa Bay ideal for clients who have spotting dolphins on their bucket lists.
bradentongulfislands.com
Daytona Beach Area CVB is positioning itself as the perfect family-friendly beach destination and an ideal twin-centre option alongside Orlando. Just an hour’s drive east, visitors can swap theme parks for 23 miles of wide, sandy coastline, offering a more relaxed yet activity-filled second stay.
The destination is particularly well suited to families and outdoor enthusiasts, with a strong focus on water-based activities. Surfing, parasailing and paddleboarding are all popular, while the calm, open beaches provide plenty of space to unwind. Daytona is also home to the Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse, the tallest lighthouse in the state, offering panoramic coastal views.
Motorsport remains a key part of the area’s identity, with the iconic Daytona International Speedway continuing a legacy that began with beach racing in the 1920s and 30s.
Beyond the beach, visitors can explore attractions such as the Daytona Aquarium and Rainforest Adventure, enjoy organised beach campfires at sunset, or discover scenic hiking and biking trails through nearby parks. Rich wildlife, including manatees, dolphins and diverse birdlife, adds to the appeal, making Daytona Beach a well-rounded, nature-rich coastal escape.
Fun fact: Visitors are permitted to drive their car, at a maximum speed of 10 mph, on designated areas of Daytona Beach. That tradition originated during early 20th-century racing days. Before the Daytona International Speedway was built, races were held on the beach, with cars speeding on the hard-packed sand.
daytonabeach.com
The Florida Keys and Key West are encouraging travellers to look beyond a quick stop in Key West and instead experience the destination as a multi-stop itinerary in its own right. While many visitors currently pass through on a short one- or two-night stay, the focus is shifting towards exploring each of the five distinct regions along the scenic drive from Miami.
Highlights along the route include unique attractions such as the Dolphin Research Center, Theater of the Sea, the Turtle Hospital and the lively Robbie’s of Islamorada, where visitors can feed tarpon in a memorable, hands-on experience.
Once in Key West, visitors are encouraged to extend their stay and explore further afield, including a day trip to Dry Tortugas National Park. Accessible only by ferry or seaplane, this remote island offers pristine beaches, snorkelling and guided tours of historic Fort Jefferson, making it a standout experience.
The journey itself is a key part of the appeal, with the iconic Overseas Highway offering one of the most scenic drives in the US. Overall, the message is clear: slow down, explore in depth, and consider the Florida Keys as a week-long adventure rather than a fleeting visit.
Fun fact: The Florida Keys and Key West are home to the only living coral reef in the U.S. The islands themselves are formed from fossilised coral. Together they create a one-of-a-kind coastal treasure.
visitfloridakeys.com
Florida’s Paradise Coast, in the southwest of the state, is spotlighting its appeal as a perfect add-on destination, particularly for visitors travelling to the US for major events such as the FIFA World Cup. Centred around Naples, the area is positioned as an easy twin-centre option—just a couple of hours’ drive from Miami and within reach of key Florida hubs.
The message is simple: this is the “holiday after the holiday.” After the excitement of Orlando and Kissimmee, visitors can unwind on more than 30 miles of pristine white-sand beaches, known for their powder-soft texture and spectacular Gulf Coast sunsets.
The destination also offers easy access to the Everglades National Park, providing opportunities to experience Florida’s unique wildlife and natural landscapes. Alongside this, Naples delivers a strong culinary scene, with everything from high-end dining to more accessible restaurants serving fresh, locally sourced cuisine.
While widely recognised as a luxury destination, the Paradise Coast also caters to mid-range travellers, offering a variety of accommodation options without compromising access to its standout beaches and experiences.
Overall, Naples and the surrounding area present a relaxed yet refined contrast to Florida’s busier attractions, ideal for those looking to balance energy and escapism in one trip.
Fun fact: The Paradise Coast is famed for white-sand beaches and seafood. Everglades City is a powerhouse of the U.S. seafood industry, producing nearly 40% of Florida’s famous sustainable stone crab claws.
paradisecoast.com
Florida’s Space Coast continues to cement its reputation as one of the most unique coastal destinations in the world; home to beaches that double as rocket launch viewing points. Along this stretch lies the Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral, where space exploration and seaside relaxation go hand in hand.
One of the key draws for visitors is the opportunity to combine a traditional beach stay with the unforgettable experience of witnessing a live rocket launch. With launches taking place on average every three days, timing a visit to coincide with one has never been easier.
This blend of natural beauty and cutting-edge space exploration makes Florida’s Space Coast a truly distinctive addition to any itinerary, offering travellers a front-row seat to history in the making.
Fun fact: In the past year alone, the region recorded an impressive 109 rocket launches, highlighting the scale and frequency of activity along Florida’s east coast. Among the most high-profile was the recent Artemis II mission, which completed a 10-day journey around the Moon before returning safely to Earth, launching directly from this iconic coastline.
visitspacecoast.com
Visit Panama City Beach is showcasing its appeal as a classic Gulf Coast escape, boasting 27 miles of sugar-white sand and striking turquoise waters. Located in the Florida Panhandle, popular attractions include Shell Island, where visitors can enjoy catamaran cruises, spot dolphins, or paddleboard alongside marine life.
Nature lovers are drawn to the area’s two state parks, St. Andrews State Park and Camp Helen State Park, offering trails, unspoilt beaches and wildlife spotting. Alongside outdoor pursuits, the destination leans into its reputation as the “seafood capital of the South,” with fine dining venues serving fresh Gulf catches, as well as local favourites such as Thomas Donut and Snack Shop.
With beachfront drives, sunset bonfires and cocktails by the shore, Panama City Beach continues to position itself as a laid-back yet vibrant option for sun-seeking travellers.
Fun fact: Panama City Beach has one of the world’s highest concentrations of Atlantic bottlenose dolphins. The area’s excellent water quality is a factor. Members of the pods are made curious by human activity.
visitpanamacitybeach.com
A major milestone has been reached at the Kennedy Space Center and Visitor Complex, with the successful launch and return of Artemis II. The mission carried four astronauts on a historic journey, taking humanity further from Earth than ever before, orbiting the Moon before safely splashing down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Diego.
This achievement marks a significant moment for NASA, demonstrating that, more than 50 years after the Apollo program, deep space exploration capabilities are once again firmly within reach.
The success of Artemis II paves the way for upcoming missions. Artemis III is expected to follow as a further test flight, while Artemis IV is anticipated to return astronauts to the lunar surface within the next two to three years. Notably, this mission aims to include the first woman to land on the Moon, representing a historic step forward in space exploration.
Fun fact: Visitors to the Kennedy Space Center and Visitor Complex can witness launches year-round from the Visitor Complex at Cape Canaveral. With tickets widely available through trade partners, the experience remains a standout addition to any Orlando itinerary.
kennedyspacecenter.com
Visit Central Florida is highlighting its lesser-known experiences, offering visitors a deeper, more authentic side of The Sunshine State beyond the major theme parks. At the heart of this is Polk County, home to a diverse mix of attractions and outdoor adventures.
A standout is Westgate River Ranch Resort and Rodeo, the largest dude ranch east of the Mississippi and a working ranch that hosts the longest-running weekly Saturday-night rodeo in the US. This reflects Florida’s surprising heritage as the birthplace of the American cowboy, an often-overlooked part of the state’s history.
Families are also drawn to LEGOLAND Florida Resort, which continues to expand with new attractions, including a SEA LIFE aquarium and the recently launched immersive LEGO-themed land featuring an innovative indoor roller coaster experience.
For a more tranquil escape, Bok Tower Gardens offers a scenic retreat at Florida’s highest point, combining historic charm with beautifully landscaped botanical gardens.
Ideally located between Orlando and Tampa, the region provides easy access to major attractions while offering better value accommodation, including spacious villa stays. With over 550 lakes and a strong focus on outdoor living, Polk County delivers a relaxed, nature-rich alternative—showcasing the “real” Florida experience.
Fun fact: Many UK travellers are unaware of the connection between cowboys and Florida. The ranching roots of Visit Central Florida’s Polk County can be traced to the 18th century and original American Cracker Cowboys.
visitcentralflorida.org
Rather than the usual card drop and draw, these events saw agents compete in The Florida Games, with one agent from the winning team taking home a multi-centre holiday to Florida on both nights.
Glasgow Winner: Darren Ferguson from Brilliant Travel (left).
Manchester Winner: Liam O’Connor from TUI (right).
Giovana Kaiser, Travel Trade Manager for VISIT FLORIDA said: “The UK is one of our most important and loyal markets throughout history, and the numbers we see year after year are a testament to the work our partners and travel agents do in market. They are the reason that Florida remains the UK’s number one long-haul holiday destination.”
visitflorida.com
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