Everyone in the tourism business knows Orlando, but what about the Space Coast?
That’s next-door Brevard County, and the area is looking more to key into the already-existing Orlando market, according to tourism officials.
One initiative for more than a year now has been to provide concierge service to International Drive destinations and hotels, according to Bonnie King, spokesman for the Space Coast Office of Tourism.
The Space Coast agency is planning additional marketing efforts, including working with Cocoa Beach and Melbourne area beachfront hoteliers on collaborative print and billboard advertising in the Orlando area.
“We have always been interested in Orlando, but have taken a more active stance of late. It’s just part of the natural progression of our outreach,” said Ms King.
While Orlando is dominated by theme parks, the Space Coast has its own unique draws. Brevard offers 72 miles of beaches, the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Indian River Lagoon and Port Canaveral with its Cove entertainment district and cruise ships.
Ms King says this year Sunward Tours also will provide a scheduled-stop bus shuttle service between Brevard and Orlando destinations.
And Brevard attractions such as the Indian River Queen river boat, Sterling Casino Lines and Ron Jon have joined the Orlando-area CVB to help get the word out to the Central Florida market.
Report by David Wilkening
