Not that Orlando needs more international notoriety or attention. This is the international tourism mecca it seems with its theme park, fantastic weather and constant activities. It is a great place for people to live and work and a great place for people to visit.
That is the message that keeps coming out. And as the city grows and expands to host even more events — whether it is at the convention center or at the Amway Center — Orlando is building and reshaping its reputation all the time.
It was not completely surprising that the Invictus Games, the competition and Olympic-style games featuring wounded and active service military members from across the world in a high-profile international event, would choose to come to Orlando. ESPN’s Wide World of Sports needed some retrofitting but has served as a great host for the games.
By all accounts, everyone has been thrilled with the facility and the games have gone off without a hitch, celebrating the people it is meant to celebrate.
Major international luminaries have flown in to speak and interact with these brave men and women including President George W. Bush, Prince Harry of Wales (one of the guiding voices that has created the Invictus Games as we know them) and, for the closing ceremonies, Vice President Joe Biden. It is an event that has major international notoriety and growing prestige.
And Orlando was the first U.S. site to host the game (still in its infancy but certainly set to grow).
There will be added benefits to hosting these games that go beyond this week, many believe.
The Invictus Games are not about stimulating the economy, nor should they be. It is not a cash grab like the Olympics can be and no one is hoping visitors spend their dollars on Orlando businesses.
But, there is undoubtedly going to be some future effect with international cameras pointed at Disney — which reported an earnings loss last year at its shareholder meeting and a decrease in attendance at Disney World — and at Orlando, there is hope that the event can raise the city’s profile even more as a tourist destination.
“As a marketing-driven organization for the region, for us to see that social [media] and kind of broadcast, it’s pretty significant,” said George Aguel, president and chief executive officer of Visit Orlando, to the Orlando Sentinel.
The event has created some buzz as people discover what these events are. ESPN has broadcasted several of the events and almost all of it on its streaming service. There have been playful barbs between world leaders ahead of the games, not to mention their presence at the opening and closing ceremonies (scheduled for Thursday).
What long-term effect the Invictus Games may have on the business side of Orlando’s tourism industry is very unclear. It certainly put Orlando in an international spotlight, but who knows how it will translate.
