USAE
THE WEEKLY COMMUNITY NEWS OF ASSOCIATIONS, CVBs AND HOTELS
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U.S. Destinations Celebrate National Travel and Tourism Week By Jonathan Trager
Visit Orlando has announced the destination welcomed a record 76.7 million visitors in 2025. The announcement was made at Visit Orlando’s annual National Travel & Tourism Week event on May 7 at the Orange County Convention Center. Left to right: Casandra Matej, President & CEO, Visit Orlando; Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings; and Barb Bowden, Board Chair, Visit Orlando.
AHLA Report Warns of Lackluster World Cup Bookings By Jordan Bradley
The American Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA) conducted a market analysis of what American host city hotels can expect from the 2026 FIFA World Cup and found that bookings could “fall short of expectations.” According to the FIFA World Cup 2026 Hotel Outlook report conducted in late April and released on May 4, around 80% of respondent hotels are
seeing summer bookings generally “lagging behind a typical summer.” Despite more than five million tickets sold to World Cup games, “this demand has not yet translated into strong hotel bookings,” AHLA said in the report. “Forecasts show that domestic travelers are outpacing international travelers—an imbalance that threatens the broader economic impact the World Cup was expected to generate.”
Worker Crushed by Industrial Dryer at Orlando Hotel By Jordan Bradley
A hotel worker at the Orlando Hilton was crushed to death by an industrial dryer in late April. According to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a report of an industrial accident at the Hilton Orlando at approximately 9 p.m. on April 23. When they arrived on the scene, they found that “a male employee in his 30s was located under an industrial sized dry-
er,” the OCSCO said in an emailed statement to USAE. “Orange County Fire Rescue pronounced the man deceased at the scene,” the statement from the sheriff’s office continued. “No additional information is available at this time.” The office confirmed to local news outlet, Florida Today, that the identity of the worker was 30-year-old Aurelius Katinde. It is not currently clear what caused the incident. Please turn to page 3
Respondents to the survey cite new taxes and fees in host cities, international perceptions of visa delays, TSA wait times and funding uncertainty, increased gas and jet fuel prices, and room block cancellations as barriers and deterrents for international travelers. “Hotels across host markets have spent years preparing for the World Cup, and while there is real excitement,
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Destinations across the United States marked National Travel and Tourism Week (NTTW) with airport celebrations, community events, economic reports, and public campaigns highlighting the travel industry’s role in local economies and job creation. The annual observance, organized by the U.S. Travel Association, ran from May 3 through May 9 this year under the theme “Postmarked: Essential.” The association says the week is intended to recognize travel’s contribution to economic growth, workforce development, and community vitality. “Travel is not optional—it is fundamental to America’s economy, workforce and way of life,” the association said in promotional materials for the 2026 campaign. Tourism organizations and state officials across the country have used the week to spotlight visitor spending and prepare for major international events expected to boost travel to the United States in the coming years. In Wisconsin, Gov. Tony Evers and the state Department of Tourism launched a statewide promotional tour celebrating what officials described as a record-breaking tourism economy.
ASAE Research Foundation Announces ASAE–USAE Travel Scholarship Recipients By Todd McElwee
Page 3 Page 4 HSMAI to Hold Commercial Strategy Conference in San Antonio Page 6 Group Travel Remains Strong Despite Challenges, Report States Page 9 Scene at PCMA’s BEIW and EIC’s GMID Celebration
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Recognizing the commitment of five association professionals to advance their knowledge, expand their networks, and strengthen their association management careers, the ASAE Research Foundation has announced the recipients of the 2026 ASAE–USAE Travel Scholarship, The scholarship provides funding for travel, housing,
and related expenses to attend the 2026 ASAE Annual Meeting & Exposition, taking place August 15–18 in Indianapolis. “Congratulations to this year’s ASAE–USAE Travel Scholarship recipients for their commitment to growth, leadership, and service to the association community,” said Michelle Mason, FASAE, CAE, AAiP, President & CEO, ASAE. Please turn to page 6