October 2025 Industry Newsletter - Notes from the CEO

Dear Tourism Partner, 

as we welcome October, I want to take a moment to recognize the strength and unity of our tourism community across Southeast Volusia County — from New Smyrna Beach to Edgewater, Oak Hill, Osteen and Port Orange. Whether you're running a beachfront hotel, a local café, a kayaking tour, or working behind the scenes at city hall, you are part of what makes this destination not only special, but successful.

We’re heading into the fall season with slowing momentum. Summer visitor numbers held strong, and early reports from September show promising trends. Our marketing campaigns, including the recent "Relax Already" push across key drive markets, are continuing to generate interest and bookings — and your efforts on the ground are what seal the deal for travelers.

October gives us a unique window. The weather is ideal, the crowds are manageable, and events like the New Smyrna Beach Plein Air Paint Out, Biketoberfest, and 3rd Annual Fall Festival give us the chance to show off the authenticity and charm that visitors crave. These experiences help us build loyalty and increase shoulder season travel, which we all benefit from.

But October is also a time to plan ahead. We’re already working on winter season promotions, holiday travel activations, and long-term destination development strategies. A few things I’d like to put on your radar:

• Newly Updated Destination Website: Launching late-November, with enhanced booking tools and stronger storytelling for each part of Southeast Volusia County. This is designed to better connect visitors with your business.
• 2026 Destination Magazine arrives early December.
• Holiday Industry Mixer: Save the date for December 16. We’ll share insights on our updated Destination Master Plan and stakeholder surveys.

We all continue to face challenges — rising costs, staffing concerns, and the changing traveler behaviors — but we also have the advantage of working together in a region people genuinely want to visit. That’s a powerful position to be in, and we don’t take it for granted.

I appreciate the energy, service, and pride you bring to the table every day. Let’s keep pushing forward and showing the world why Southeast Volusia isn’t just another Florida destination — it’s a community worth exploring, again and again.

Wishing you all a fantastic September!

Keep Traveling,