Universal to intensify competition in Orlando hotel market

The Orlando hotel market is bracing to see the competition being intensified in future with more hotels being planned or under renovations. Media reports recently said that Universal Orlando is planning to build more lodging to host its visitors. The move by the premier theme park here is on the verge of putting even more pressure on the hotels situated nearby and making the competition stiffer. Tourism experts have indicated that this could result in the affected hotels to put a strong fight back by revamping rooms and adding new amenities.

Universal Orlando has decided to build a Caribbean-themed 1,000-room, Loews Sapphire Falls Resort, which is likely to open in 2016. Presently, four hotels being operated by Universal Orlando have a total of 4,200 rooms. However, according to the officials there’s still a potential for nearly 15,000 rooms. To keep pace with the competition, other neighboring hotels are most likely to follow suit.

The construction of Loews Sapphire Falls Resort is currently underway. With this hotel, occupancy rates in Central Florida have also significantly increased. A travel expert however said that this is a momentary phase and the growth in hotel occupancy is likely to slow down, despite the fact that this is on upward trend now. He said that the logic says that the growth can’t be continued at quite a fast pace forever.

Media reports said that despite the forecast by tourism and travel experts, Universal Orlando is not ready to pay heed and decided not to give any comment now on the likely impact on the Orlando hotel market.