Twelve travel agents will get a first-hand look at Orlando next month as part of a new Tui initiative to boost bookings for the Florida destination.
Trip details and application process
Applications are open until 2 September for the seven-night “Wanderlust” familiarization trip, which departs on 16 October. Successful candidates will fly direct from Manchester on a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
The itinerary includes three nights on International Drive, an area Tui described as one of its “top-booked” locations outside the major theme parks. Agents will visit attractions, hotels, and restaurants before moving to Universal Orlando Resort for four nights.
Tui partnered with Universal Orlando Resort and Visit Orlando for the trip. The company said the experience is designed to help agents build knowledge and confidence when selling Orlando holidays.
Who can apply and what’s required
Applications are open to independent agents over 21 who work in sales roles. Applicants must not have visited Orlando in the past five years and will need a valid passport, Esta, and travel insurance.
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The trip will also highlight the travel experience itself, including the outbound process at Manchester Airport and arrival at Melbourne Orlando International Airport.
Andrew Isherwood, Tui UK and Ireland’s Head of Trade Relations, said Orlando remains a favorite for UK holidaymakers. “This trip will showcase everything from the energy of International Drive to the world-class hotels and attractions at Universal Orlando Resort,” he said. “Experiencing it all first-hand will equip agents with valuable insights and stories they can share with customers.”
Familiarization trips like this aren’t new, but they’ve become more targeted in recent years. Airlines and tour operators often use them to rebuild agent confidence after disruptions like the pandemic, when firsthand knowledge of destinations became scarce. For Orlando, a market that relies heavily on repeat visitors and word-of-mouth recommendations, the strategy makes sense—agents who’ve seen the parks, hotels, and local attractions are more likely to sell them convincingly.
The focus on International Drive is notable. While Universal and Disney dominate Orlando’s tourism image, the area has grown into a destination of its own, with attractions like ICON Park and a mix of mid-range hotels that appeal to families and groups. Tui’s decision to split the trip between the two locations suggests it sees value in promoting Orlando as more than just theme parks.
Agents interested in applying can do so through an online form on Tui’s website.