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Signs of optimism
It has been one year since the pandemic began its sweep through our lives. The tourism industry has never experienced anything like this and, while we have been challenged in so many ways, there are signs of optimism:
- Airport traffic at Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) keeps improving. During January, 686,563 passengers traveled through RSW, a decrease of 39.4% compared to January 2020. However, it was a 5.9% increase compared to December 2020.
- Top 25 ranking goes to the Fort Myers/Naples metro area, according to The Cvent Source: Group Business Insights, February 2021 webinar, for the highest volume of Cvent group RFPs for January 2021. This is the fifth consecutive month for this rating.
- A partnership with Collier County is in the works to promote new direct Alaska Airlines flights from Los Angeles and Seattle, JetBlue direct flights from Raleigh-Durham and Southwest flights from Louisville.
- Vacation rentals have been in strong demand during the pandemic. In fact, they outperformed Lee County hotels in December 2020, according to KeyData research. Based on growing our understanding of this key market segment, the VCB will now be sharing KeyData insights monthly.
- Songs from the Sand, our spinoff of Songs from the Sofa, was a hit last month on Fort Myers Beach with fan favorite Sheena Brook. The Facebook event generated more than 700 views in support of promoting Island Hopper Songwriter Fest Sept. 17-26. Next up, Songs from the Sofa on March 18.
- Spring training is here, albeit in a different setup, as we welcome the Boston Red Sox and Minnesota Twins to JetBlue Park at Fenway South and Hammond Stadium at CenturyLink Sports Complex, respectively. Health and safety protocols and reduced capacity will be the norm for the Grapefruit League. Most importantly, fans across the country will see live broadcasts of these games with our natural beauty and warm weather as the backdrop.
We look forward to working with you to continue building on these successes.
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Tamara Pigott VCB executive director
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Sun Saver Passport: Partners, please remember to add your deals on attractions, restaurants and experiences throughout our community. The passport is available via mobile phones. There have been more than 3,200 passport downloads and 170 offers have been redeemed.
Threshold 360: There’s still time to get your appointment with Threshold 360 to capture a free, virtual tour of your location. So far, 156 locations have videos. Please contact Jennifer Walla at jwalla@leegov.com to find out more about Threshold 360 benefits and scheduling.
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Application cycle for TDC Funding Program opens in April
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In supporting tourism product development, the TDC provides financial assistance to strengthen awareness of local arts, attractions and cultural venues that enhance the visitor experience and destination appeal. Not-for-profit event organizers, arts organizations and cultural attractions are encouraged to develop unique marketing programs and partnerships to achieve this goal.
The application cycles for fiscal year 2021-2022 Events & Attraction Marketing funding will open in April. Prospective applicants are welcome to review each program’s guidelines and application timelines at www.leevcb.com/funding-programs.
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Now open! Holiday Inn Express & Suites Fort Myers Airport
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Holiday Inn Express & Suites Fort Myers Airport officially opened Feb. 16. The property's close proximity to Southwest Florida International Airport will make it a first choice for travelers. Guests can expect to see enhanced cleaning procedures with hospital-grade disinfectants.
The hotel’s design offers a fresh, energetic atmosphere and includes amenities to fit the needs of all travelers. Communal areas feature an open, pod-style desk area and flexible seating including community tables with built-in wired and wireless charging stations.
Rooms: 101, 24 are suites and seven are accessible; mini-fridge, microwave, coffee maker, flat-screen TV and work desk Address: 14567 Global Parkway, Fort Myers Phone: 239-327-0198 Contact: Lucie Wirgin, director of sales, 239-297-7790 Pet-friendly: Service animals allowed Amenities: Pool, fitness center, board room, laundry facility, full breakfast with grab 'n go options, 24-hour business center
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Welcome back, Tourism Ambassadors
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Our Tourism Ambassadors are back in the visitor information booths at Southwest Florida International Airport, happy to greet and assist our visitors as they arrive in our beautiful destination.
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2021 Virtual Sanibel Shell Show March 5-6
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The Sanibel-Captiva Shell Club's Virtual 2021 Sanibel Shell Show will be on YouTube and will feature videos of Sanibel beaches, live mollusks, shell art, door prizes, museum tours and more.
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Pigott guest speaker at SanCap Chamber virtual meeting March 10
Tamara Pigott, VCB executive director, will be the guest speaker at the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce virtual meeting at noon Wednesday, March 10. For details, contact Chamber President & CEO John Lai at 239-472-2348 or John@sanibel-captiva.org.
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Tourist Development Council (TDC) meetings are held at the Lee County Admin East Building, 2201 Second St., Room 118, Fort Myers.
Agenda: Available one week before meeting Wear a mask: To prevent the spread of COVID-19, we respectfully ask that all attendees follow CDC guidelines including wearing masks and following social distancing guidelines. Watch live: There will also be a live stream of the TDC meeting on Lee TV.
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Feb. 10-11: At Travalliance Virtual Wedding Expo, Jennifer Walla chatted with travel agents in the virtual booth. The event was attended by 1,073 travel agents.
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Virtual meeting planner shows attended Feb. 4: Brand USA Focus on Canada, Stefanie Zinke Feb. 8-11: Florida Huddle, Stefanie Zinke Feb. 10-11: Travalliance Virtual Wedding Expo, Jennifer Walla Feb. 23: Northstar INTERACT Back to Booking, Erin Lester Feb. 24-25: Incentive Travel Meetings & Events World Expo, Jerry Terp Feb. 25: Smart Meetings, Betsy Bush
Upcoming virtual shows March 2-4: Connect CYBER, Jerry Terp March 4: United Kingdom Virtual Roadshow, Stefanie Zinke March 9-12: ITB Berlin (Internationale Tourismus-Börse), Stefanie Zinke March 10-11: Travalliance Virtual Family Travel Expo, Jennifer Walla March 24-25: Incentive Travel Meetings & Events World Expo, Betsy Bush
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Meetings Today podcast
Jill Vance, VCB sales director, talks about how to incorporate wellness into meetings
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Feb. 17: Road trips for families (181,000 visitors annually) By Cheryl Roedwig Fort Myers to Marco Island: Best Southwest Florida road trip itinerary
- Bailey's General Store
- Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum
- Billy’s Bike Rentals
- Caloosa Sound Amphitheater
- Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium
- Captiva Island
- Dean Street Coffee
- Edison and Ford Winter Estates
- Ella Mae’s Diner
- Everglades Wonder Gardens
- Fort Myers
- Fort Myers River District
- Green Cup Café
- IMAG History & Science Center
- Luminary Hotel & Co.
- The Silver King Ocean Brasserie
- Sanibel Island
Feb. 10: Wherever Family (UVM 20,000) By Katie Skrzek What’s new in Fort Myers and Sanibel, Florida
- Fort Myers
- J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge
- Luminary Hotel & Co.
- Ostego Bay Foundation
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2201 Second Street, Suite 600 Fort Myers, Florida 33901 Toll Free 800.237.6444 | Local 239.338.3500
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