NEWS: Universal Orlando Exec Urges For an "Aggressive" Approach as Tourism Returns

It’s been almost 18 months since Universal Orlando and other Orlando-based theme parks reopened after temporarily closing for the COVID-19 global pandemic.

Universal Orlando

Since then, we’ve seen health and safety measures evolve, capacity levels increase, and more theme park experiences return to “normal.” But, there are still a few things that aren’t completely back to the way they were before COIVID-19 and now a Universal Orlando executive is calling on the state and theme parks to take a stronger approach to regain its pre-pandemic level of tourism.

According to the Orlando Sentinel, Univeral Orlando’s Senior Vice President of Sales (Eric Marshall) shared at a recent Florida Chamber of Commerce event that he hopes that Florida can maintain an active approach” to bringing tourism back, stating that “I can guarantee you if we’re not aggressive in Florida, some other destination will be.”

Universal crowds in May 2021

Universal Orlando was one of the first theme parks to reopen in the state following the initial closures in March 2020 and the pandemic has not stopped the company from expanding to draw tourists. In fact, right now, Universal Orlando is in the process of constructing the new Epic Universe theme park, which will “double the size” of the resort when it opens in early 2025.

Universal Orlando Universal’s Epic Universe Concept Art ©Universal/Comcast

Marshall also shared that Florida has been “having a pretty remarkable year” when it comes to tourism, but is looking for the industry to capitalize on the return of international leisure travel beginning November 8th and growing business-related travel in the next year.