Additional highlights from the Orlando travel report included:

• Annual domestic travel increased approximately 3% while international travel rose 9% for the year ending 2010 versus 2009
• The Aviation Authority also indicated that large increases to Orlando from many mid-tier cities accounted for much of the positive numbers. This is apart from the robust increase in international travel that was recorded for the year. We blogged recently about the importance of new domestic and international routes (cheap airfare to Orlando) that tend to help keep airfares to Orlando competitive.

However, although these volumes were quite impressive, the Orlando Sanford air travel volumes did show declines on an annual basis. Domestic annual travel volumes to the Orlando Sanford airport were down 38% and international travel down 12%. All in all, Orlando Sanford (SFB) airport volumes are a mere fraction of the number of passengers that travel through the Orlando International Airport (MCO). In fact, Orlando International handles more than 20x the passenger volume that Sanford handles on annual basis.

These travel statistics mirror the trends that have been developing in Central Florida for some time. For instance, SeaWorld recently announced record holiday traffic to the park in December. Even Amtrak intermodal passenger rail volumes to Florida were up year-over-year reflecting across the board increases in visitor flow  to the region/city.

Florida Tourism Bounces Back - Harry Potter a Magical Hand

Regardless of whether you arrive by plane, train or car, vacation rentals are a great option for any traveller to Central Florida. Luxurious amenities such as private pools, self catering kitchens, and large spacious living areas can all be yours. Our website rates and reviews over 75 rental communities on a wide range of criteria including quality, location and community amenities. Consult these reviews to help make your Orlando vacation a smashing success.

The Orlando travel market is highly dependent on direct to flights that originate from an overseas destination. These convenient direct flights bring in international travelers that on average spend a great deal more than the everyday tourist. This is very important for the local economy.

Some of the upcoming new direct to Orlando international flights include:

• Airtran – Aruba, and Netherland, Antilles Air Travel to Orlando Begins February 2010
• Airtran – Montego Bay, Jamaica Orlando flights Begin February, 2010

Direct international Florida flights also began in 2009 for the following airlines:

• Air Canada – Airline service to Halifax, Nova Scotia
• JetBlue – International service to Bogota, Colombia and Nassau, Bahamas
• Martinair - Amsterdam, Netherlands Flights to Orlando Began October 15th
• Mexicana Airlines – Flights to Florida from Mexico City
• Sunwing Airlines – Airfare to Orlando from Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto Canada
• Taca Airlines – San Salvador, El Salvador Airfare to Orlando Began November 1st
• TAM Airlines – Orlando flights from Sao Paulo-Guarulhos Brazil
• Westjet Airlines – Florida flights from Ontario and Winnipeg Canada

This is also good news for the Orlando villa rentals market. As the number of direct international flights to Orlando rises, so will the number of guests for vacation rentals. One example would be the presence of the UK to Orlando Florida flights with over 3 options daily to London Gatwick alone. It has never been a better time to visit Florida.

Canada is also a hot target with the introduction of the “Orlando for Canadians” tourism promotion. Internationally and especially in Western Europe, vacation villas have a much higher consumer awareness than in the United States, but this is changing.

As we have blogged in the past, short term villa rentals continue to become more accepted and mainstream domestically. Our contention  and mission, as stated on our main page, is the need for more information to bolster consumer confidence in the quality of vacation home accommodations in the area. Our website contains over 80+ reviews of vacation home communities in the Central Florida region.