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November 2021 VCB Newsletter

Holiday Nights, Edison and Ford Winter Estates, Nov. 29, photo by Jackie Parker, VCB.

From the bureau

Season's greetings from your friends at the VCB

We have a lot to celebrate. 

Despite many challenges, our tourism community has had quite the year. We had a great spring, summer and fall. It is that momentum, leading into the winter months, that will help us kick off 2022 with much optimism.

Key factors include:

  • Economic development for the travel and tourism sector hit a new record in Lee County in 2021, raking in more than $53.3 million in bed taxes for the fiscal year.

  • Year-to-date, passenger traffic at Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) is up 71% compared to 2020 and RSW has reported record-breaking passenger traffic.

  • Lee County’s visitation numbers have surpassed past pre-pandemic levels, up 4.5%, helping drive local tax revenue, job growth and economic recovery.

Together we are poised to keep our industry moving forward as an economic engine for Lee County and a must-see slice of paradise where everyone deserves A Good Day. We are eager to roll out our new branding, website, visitor guide and other marketing initiatives in January.

Until then, we encourage you to take time to be present and enjoy holiday time with family and friends. 

From all of us at the VCB, we wish you Happy Holidays and a safe and prosperous New Year. 

 
Executive Director
 
 

 

Lee County News

What To Do events listing now has a QR code

The VCB's weekly What To Do events listing now has a QR code, giving industry partners one more way to connect with visitors. We encourage you to display this flyer so everyone knows What To Do when they're visiting Lee County. 

Do you know what QR stands for? Quick response.

Thank you for contributing events to What To Do and look for the listing every Monday in your inbox or scan the QR code. 

WHAT TO DO (click for printable flyer)

Sales activities

Rotating photos include:

  • (Photo 1) Oct. 5: FSAE Education Expo, Erin Lester, VCB, attended the meeting planner trade show in Tallahassee and about 80 Florida association planners attended.
  • (Photos 2-3) Oct. 14-15: Destination Celebration Indianapolis, Jerry Terp, VCB, co-hosted a client event for over 40 meeting planners.
  • (Photos 4-5) Oct. 23-24: Travel & Adventure San Francisco Bay, Shelley Crant, Florida Travel Marketing, represented the destination and promoted Southwest Florida International Airport's direct flights. Over 4,400 attended. 
  • (Photo 6) Oct. 25-28: Brand USA Travel Week, UK, Tamara Pigott, VCB, represented the destination in London.

SALES ACTIVITIES & UPCOMING SHOWS

Out and about with Visitor Services Tourism Ambassadors

The VCB's Visitor Services Tourism Ambassadors continue to take familiarization trips throughout Lee County. This is a great opportunity for them to learn about the destination and help answer questions from visitors at Southwest Florida International Airport. 

We want to thank our industry partners for hosting our Tourism Ambassadors!

Rotating photos include:

  • (Photo 1) Nov. 2: Visit to Home2 Suites by Hilton Fort Myers Colonial Blvd, Fort Myers
  • (Photo 2) Nov. 10: Caloosahatchee Regional Park, Alva
  • (Photo 3) Nov. 16: Crowne Plaza/Homewood Suites by Hilton Bell Tower, Fort Myers

PR/Communication results

1. Parade (impressions: 1,599,153) 11/4/21, By Maryn Liles
Pack up and jet off to one of these 55 best honeymoon destinations for newlyweds after saying "I do"

  • Keylime Bistro
  • Marriott Sanibel Harbor Resort & Spa
  • Sanibel Island
  • Sanibel Thriller

2. Travel Off Path (impressions: 253,800) 11/3/21, By Laura Taylor
Top 10 winter getaways for couples on the East Coast

  • Sanibel Island

3. The News-Herald (impressions: 74,587) 11/9/21, By Janet Podolak
Florida’s tropical Captiva and Sanibel islands, just off Fort Myers, feed body and soul

  • Cabbage Key
  • Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille
  • Jensen’s Twin Palm Marina & Cottages
  • J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge
  • Local Roots Farmers Markets
  • Mucky Duck
  • Sanibel Island Farmers Market
  • South Seas Island Resort
  • The Bubble Room
  • The Green Flash
  • Three Little Birds Breakfast Truck
  • ‘Tween Waters Island Resort & Spa

4. Conde Nast Traveler (impressions: 1,069,148) 11/10/21, By Matt Kirouac
The best places for camping in Florida, from the Keys to the Everglades

  • Cayo Costa State Park

5. Big Seven Travel (impressions: 96,537) 11/10/21, By Allie D’Almo
The best Black Friday travel deals for 2021

  • Casa Playa Resort
  • DiamondHead Beach Resort
  • GullWing Beach Resort
  • Lovers Key Resort
  • Pointe Estero Beach Resort

6. Destination Reunions (impressions: 6,000) 11/15/21, By Randy Mink
Sanibel splendor: Sea, sun, surf and sand

  • Bailey’s Marketplace
  • Sundial Beach Resort & Spa

7. The Travel (impressions: 194,972) 11/15/21, By Alex Renee
Here are some sunny Florida destinations to consider when the weather gets chilly

  • Cape Coral
  • Four Mile Cove Ecological Preserve
  • Lakes Park
  • Sirenia Vista Park
  • Sun Splash Family Water Park
  • Useppa Island
  • Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village

8. Texas Lifestyle & Travel Magazine (impressions: 27,000) 11/16/21, By Daniel Ramirez
#TravelTuesday: Stretch out and stay a spell on Southwest Florida’s Captiva Island

  • Adventure Sea Kayak
  • Cabbage Key
  • Captiva Cruises
  • Captiva Island
  • Island Hopper Songwriter Fest
  • South Seas Island Resort
  • Sunny Island Adventures
  • ‘Tween Waters Island Resort and Spa

9. Lavender Magazine (impressions: 786,897) November-December issue, Pages 12-13, By Carla Waldemar
Sanibel and Fort Myers - Antidote to winter

  • Lee County Sports Complex/Hammond Stadium
  • Mound House
  • Sundial Beach Resort & Spa
  • Williams Academy Black History Museum

10. Travel Awaits (impressions 60,653), 11/21/21, By Laura Ray
11 Spectacular Florida beaches our writers love

  • Bailey Matthews National Shell Museum
  • Captiva Island
  • J.N. ‘Ding Darling’ National Wildlife Refuge
  • Sanibel Island
  • Tarpon Bay Beach

11. Travel Agent Central (impressions: 384,480), 11/19/21, By Susan Young
Destination update: Florida’s natural side

  • Angler’s Inn
  • Edison and Ford Winter Estates
  • Great Calusa Blueway
  • Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa
  • J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge
  • Lovers Key Resort
  • Margaritaville Beach Resort
  • Matanzas Inn
  • Matlacha Cottages
  • Pink Shell Beach Resort and Spa
  • Tarpon Lodge

12. Travel Noire (impressions: 182,626) & MSN (impressions: 67,151,557), 11/24/21, by Bernadette Giacomazzo
31 Black Friday travel deals to take advantage of

  • Casa Playa Resort
  • DiamondHead Beach Resort
  • Fort Myers
  • Fort Myers Beach
  • GullWing Beach Resort
  • Lovers Key Resort
  • Pointe Estero Beach Resort
  • Sanibel Island

13. Trazee Travel (impresisons: 15,120), 11/23/21
The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel get into the holiday spirit

  • Adventures in Paradise
  • Bonita Bill's
  • Cape Coral
  • Doc Ford's Rum Bar and Grille
  • Edison and Ford Winter Estates
  • Fort Myers
  • Fort Myers Beach 
  • Nervous Nellie's
  • Parrot Key Caribbean Grill
  • Salty Sam's Marina
  • Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center

14. Drift Magazine (impressions: 36,570) 
Celebrating the season in The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel

  • Adventures in Paradise
  • Cape Coral
  • Edison and Ford Winter Estates
  • Fort Myers
  • Fort Myers Beach
  • River District Alliance

15. SeattlePI (impressions: 704,233), 11/20/21, by Lori A. May
Beachbound: Budget breaks on sunshine getaways to escape Seattle's rainy winter

  • Estero
  • Fort Myers
  • Fort Myers Beach
  • Island Hideaway
  • Pink Shell Beach Resort & Marina
  • Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation
  • Sanibel Island
  • Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW)
  • Sun Saver Passport
Industry Partner News

Mainsail Lodging & Development wins Marriott award

Mainsail Lodging & Development, recently won Marriott International’s Development Partner of the Year Award and Loyalty Luminary Award. Mainsail was named a finalist for the Opening of the Year Award for Luminary Hotel & Co. in Fort Myers.

(Left to right): David Marriott, Marriott Board of Directors; Joe Collier, president, Mainsail Lodging & Development; Ray Bennett, president, U.S. + Canada Franchising and MxM MSB; Liam Brown, grouppresident, U.S. + Canada; Anthony Capuano, chief executive officer.

In the news

'Gift from the Sea' panel discussion Dec. 5

The public is invited to attend a "Gift from the Sea" panel discussion at 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 5, at Captiva Chapel by the Sea, 11580 Chapin Lane, Captiva.

In partnership with the chapel and Captiva Island Historical Society, the VCB will host Kristina Lindbergh, granddaughter of author Anne Morrow Lindbergh, for a panel discussion on the impact of her grandmother's book, which was published in 1955.

'GIFT FROM THE SEA' PANEL INFO

Guests First registration begins Dec. 6

Registration for Guests First Customer Service Training Program will begin Dec. 6 for the winter session. 

GUESTS FIRST SCHEDULE

December TDC meeting date changed to Dec. 8

Red tide resources

Local

LEE COUNTY WATER QUALITY RESOURCES
RED TIDE FACT SHEET

State

FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION DAILY RED TIDE SAMPLE MAP
FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION RED TIDE FAQS
RED TIDE RESPIRATORY FORECAST TOOL
Chambers of Commerce
BOCA GRANDE
CAPE CORAL
EAST LEE COUNTY
ESTERO
FORT MYERS BEACH
GREATER FORT MYERS
GREATER PINE ISLAND
NORTH FORT MYERS
SANIBEL & CAPTIVA ISLANDS
SWFL INC.
   
The Beaches of Fort Myers and Sanibel Logo with Website

2201 Second Street, Suite 600
Fort Myers, Florida 33901
Toll Free 800.237.6444  |  Local 239.338.3500

Visit our website fortmyers-sanibel.com to learn more!

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