Visit Orlando will offer online seminar on ‘Pokemon Go’ craze

Visit Orlando, Orange County’s tourism arm, has joined the “Pokemon Go” craze and is working with members to nab a slice of the new business being generated from the game.

“Obviously, this is a huge global phenomenon,” said Danielle Courtenay, Visit Orlando’s chief marketing officer.

“Pokemon Go” is a mobile app that allows players catch Pokemon creatures, such as Pikachu and Jigglypuff, that can be found anywhere at any time.

Since the app went live earlier this month, some of Orlando’s top destinations, including SeaWorld Orlando and Fun Spot America Orlando, have independently advertised their own Pokemon events.

As the area’s largest marketing organization, however, Visit Orlando is tasked with aggregating the latest tourism news and relaying it to the 66 million tourists that come to Central Florida annually.

With that mission, Courtenay said the organization couldn’t ignore the game’s popularity.

“People look to us to provide all types of information about the destination,” she said.

Visit Orlando recently launched a web page dedicated to the game, identifying places where it’s free to play in Central Florida.

The page also details Pokemon hot spots in the region’s theme parks, which require paid admission.

While Visit Orlando leaders want to promote where players can find Pokemon creatures, they also want to help their members learn how to make money off the success of the game.

Jeff Braswell, the organization’s vice president of digital strategy and marketing, created a digital tool kit for members.

Braswell also will lead a live educational webinar this week for members.

He said the tool kit includes basic information about how the game is played, an index of key terms and how businesses can attract players by paying for lures, in-game purchases that attract more creatures to that spot.

Courtenay said business leaders can give tourists a better experience if they learn about the game.

“It’s a way to increase that level of hospitality that our guests feel while they’re here,” she said.