ORLANDO, Fla. – As Central Florida tourism is experiencing growth across various sectors, industry leaders are taking a close look at trends and challenges for the upcoming year.
On Thursday, CareerSource Central Florida and the Central Florida Hospitality and Lodging Association hosted “The State of Hospitality and Tourism” at Caribe Royale Orlando.
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During the event, data was revealed that showed Florida’s demand for hotel rooms has remained above pre-pandemic levels for the third consecutive year.
Looking ahead, stronger growth is anticipated in 2025, following Orange County’s record tourism development tax numbers for December.
“Tourism for Central Florida looks exciting. So the need for workers is going to be that much greater,” Nilda Blanco, who is the CareerSource Senior VP of Strategic Initiatives, said.
Blanco highlighted upcoming projects, such as the opening of Universal’s Epic Universe, as significant drivers for the hospitality and tourism sectors.
“So much growth here in Central Florida. How do you keep up when it comes to staffing? I think that’s definitely a big challenge. I think there’s really two things to consider. How do we engage our youngest workers and those young people who are sitting in school right now?”
Blanco pointed out that a major issue is the aging workforce, with more people leaving the industry than young people entering it. She emphasized the importance of connecting and engaging workers to meet staffing demands, especially as more travelers head to Central Florida in the coming year.
“Folks want to feel valued and so how do we create those opportunities? At the same time, the pace of business and technology is very fast. How do you balance that dynamic?” she asked.
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