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Week of November 3, 2008 The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel hosted 262,439 visitors during the month of September 2008 compared to 332,838 in September 2009, Davidson-Peterson Associates reported this week to the Lee County Tourist Development Council (TDC). Domestic travelers accounted for 43 percent of the visitations, while the United Kingdom accounted for 27 percent. Contacts: Suya Davenport (SDavenport@leegov.com) and Nancy Hamilton (NHamilton@leegov.com), 239-338-3500, www.leevcb.com. The Lee County Visitor and Convention Bureau (VCB) launched its new Team Tourism program in October 2008 at the Team Tourism Summit at Sanibel Harbour Resort & Spa in Fort Myers and unveiled a new leadership platform for the organization. The Team Tourism initiative is a year-round informational program to bring together the VCB staff, industry partners, and community leaders for two purposes: to strengthen teamwork throughout the destination, and empower travel industry leaders to maximize marketing opportunities available to them. Contacts: Suya Davenport (SDavenport@leegov.com) and Nancy Hamilton (NHamilton@leegov.com), 239-338-3500, www.leevcb.com. Citing her commitment and dedication to the Lee County tourism industry, the Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau (VCB) recently presented Pine Island business owner and tourism advocate Sally Tapager with the Junonia Award at the Team Tourism Summit. As owner of Tropic Star Cruises, Tapager served as president of the Pine Island Chamber from 2001 to 2007 and was responsible for repositioning the island as Florida's Creative Coast. Contacts: Suya Davenport (SDavenport@leegov.com) and Nancy Hamilton (NHamilton@leegov.com), 239-338-3500, www.leevcb.com. During September 2008, Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) in Fort Myers accommodated more than 328,000 passengers, a decrease of 15 percent compared to September 2007. Year-to-date, passenger traffic is down 5.7 percent from the same period last year. Contact: Victoria B. Moreland (vbmoreland@ flylcpa.com), 239-590-4504, www.flylcpa.com. Southwest Airlines began daily nonstop service between Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) in Fort Myers and St. Louis (STL), MO on Nov. 2, 2008. The daily flight departs RSW at 3:25 p.m. and arrives from STL at 5:10 p.m. Contact: Victoria B. Moreland (vbmoreland@ flylcpa.com), 239-590-4504, www.flylcpa.com. USA3000 Airlines and 'Tween Waters Inn Island Resort of Captiva Island are currently promoting their Two Tickets to Paradise drawing. Through Dec. 31, 2008, U.S. residents 18 years of age or older can enter at www.USA3000.com/paradise. Rules and restrictions apply. The random drawing winner will receive two USA3000 Airlines round-trip airfares from any USA3000 service city to Southwest Florida International Airport, plus 'Tween Waters' three-night Seaplane Adventure package. The estimated retail value of the prize is $3,500. Contact: Emily Kettner (emilyk@make-noise.com), 239-395-9555, www.tweenwaters.com. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) recently honored the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa in Bonita Springs for being the first resort in Florida to achieve Three Palm Certification status as a Florida Green Lodge. The resort has attained the third and so far highest level of sustainable hotel management practices. Contact: Joe Thompson (JEThompson@hyatt.com), 239-390-4278, www.coconutpoint.hyatt.com. 'Tween Waters Inn Island Resort of Captiva Island has announced its new USA30% Sale & Save discount, available through April, 2, 2009. Guests can enjoy a 30 percent discount off the resort’s standard daily rate with any stay of three nights or longer. This never-before value pricing is valid all nights toward waterview guest rooms, studios, or one-bedroom suites. Restrictions apply. Contact: Emily Kettner (emilyk@make-noise.com ), 239-395-9555, www.tweenwaters.com. DiamondHead Beach Resort on Fort Myers Beach and Seaside Inn on Sanibel Island recently added their names to the roster of area accommodations to have received the Florida Green Lodging Program designation. The addition of the two resorts brings the county’s green lodging tally to 12. Contact: Dina Craig (marketing@sunstream.com), 239-765-4111, www.diamondheadfl.com; Aby Moghanaki (amoghanaki@luxuryresorts.com), 239-472-1400, www.seasideinn.com. Hampton Inn & Suites has awarded its Cape Coral hotel the Hampton Wall of Fame Award, a top national distinction, for its Total Quality Service Score. The score measures quality and customer satisfaction. The Cape Coral property ranks among the chain's top 15 percent in the country since receiving the quarterly honor. Contact: Dominick Soricelli (dominick.soricelli@hilton.com), 239-540-1050, www.capecoralsuites.hamptoninn.com. Sanibel Harbour Resort & Spa in Fort Myers introduces its Airline Antithesis program – “making travel more straightforward without all the nickel-and-diming”. After booking guests at a low rate without hidden fees -- starting at $198 per night, available through March 30, 2009, the resort staff greets travelers with complimentary peanuts and No Fly Zone-tini cocktails. Other amenities include a free in-room movie and luggage delivery. Contact: Katie Kole (katie@proofcreative.com), 850-443- 9636, www.sanibel-resort.com. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), together with the Clean Boating Partnership, recognized the City of Fort Myers Yacht Basin as a Clean Marina. Florida’s Clean Marinas go above and beyond required environmental regulations by adopting safeguards that keep solvents, sewage, fuel, and oil out of the water, while protecting manatees and other marine creatures. The City of Fort Myers Yacht Basin collects and recycles waste oil, gasoline, diesel fuel, contaminated bilge water, antifreeze, and batteries, in addition to household recyclables. The marina also provides basin-wide, on-demand sewage retrieval at no additional cost to the customers. Contact: Jennifer Hobbic (jhobbic@cityftmyers.com), 239-461-7162, www.cityftmyers.com/news. Three Fort Myers hotels have teamed up with Edison & Ford Winter Estates to design overnight romance packages for Edison Festival of Light’s Light Up the Town Celebration on Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14, 2009. Packages offered by Holiday Inn Downtown Historic District, Hilton Garden Inn, and Indigo Hotel include two VIP tickets for the riverside celebration, two tickets to the Estates, and breakfast for two. One-night rates range from $211 to $281, and second night discounts are available. Contact: Lisa Sbuttoni (lsbuttoni@efwefla.org), 239-334-7419, www.efwefla.org. The Cultural Heritage Center of the Islands opened Nov. 1, 2008 on Sanibel Island. The non-profit center grew out of black history and early settler exhibits displayed for the past year at Sanibel Public Library and other island locations. Historic photographs make up the core of the center’s exhibits. Contact: Yvonne Hill, 239-464-9925. Downtown Fort Myers’ Historic River District launched its Downtown Party Weekend promotion in October. Every Friday and Saturday night, nightlifers can make the rounds of six parties for one cover charge. Fifteen restaurants, clubs, and bars within a two-block radius will be offering food and drink specials and DJ entertainment from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Contact: party@EnVieDownTown.com. Get a behind-the-scenes look at a wildlife hospital, play “Be the Vet,” and be the first to tour southwest Florida’s newest visitor attraction, when the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) celebrates the grand opening of its Visitor Education Center and hospital Jan. 25, 2009, on Sanibel Island. The center will provide guests with an interactive experience to immerse them in the world of wildlife rescue and rehabilitation. Contact: Karen Baxter, (Karen@prioritymarketing.com, 239-267-2638, www.crowclinic.org. Bonita Springs saw its second farmers market debut on Nov. 5, 2008, downtown in Riverside Park. The market -- which will feature locally raised and harvested produce, flowers, meat, and seafood – convenes every Wednesday. The local Lions Club also operates a market every Saturday; it recently moved to The Promenade at Bonita Bay. Contact: Janet Martin, ??????? On October 23, 2008, the National Trust for Historic Preservation presented the Edison & Ford Winter Estates its Trustee Emeritus Award for Excellence in the Stewardship of Historic Sites as a result of its recent $10 million restoration project. Contact: Lisa Sbuttoni (lsbuttoni@efwefla.org), 239-334-7419, www.efwefla.org. A confluence of vibrant colors, strong emotions, and lifelong experiences converge onto canvas during the second annual Art Expressions of Latin America Art II Exhibit opening Nov. 7, 2008, at the Southwest Florida Museum of History in downtown Fort Myers. Fifteen artists from six countries will express their culture through dance, literature, oils, pastels and acrylics through Nov. 29. Contact: Helena Finnegan (Hfinnegan@cityftmyers.com), 239-321-7409, www.swflmuseumofhistory.com.
In time for holiday gifting, Offshore Sailing School is offering
a Gill USA Crew Sailing Jacket (a $115 value) with the purchase
of a minimum $300 gift certificate for sailing lessons, a course
tuition, or learning vacation package. The jacket, embroidered with
Offshore Sailing School's logo, comes in navy with navy fleece lining,
waterproof integrity, and an inside MP3 or cell phone pocket. Offshore
Sailing lessons depart out of Pink Shell Beach Resort on Fort
Myers Beach and South Seas Island Resort on Captiva Island.
Contact: Mary Orme (mary@amcenergy.com),
727-733-9332,
www.offshoresailing.com. Steve and Doris Colgate, owners of Offshore Sailing School of Fort Myers, received the Harken Gold Block Award at the recent 2008 United States Sailboat Show in Annapolis in recognition of selling their 300th Colgate 26 sailing yacht. Harken, Inc., is a leading manufacturer and marketer of quality sailboat hardware and accessories. Contact: Mary Orme (mary@amcenergy.com), 727-733-9332, www.offshoresailing.com. Islands FallFest continues throughout Lee County through Nov. 15, 2008. Area event organizers, accommodations, attractions, and retailers have partnered to provide vacation packages and deals to sweeten the incentive for visitors to enjoy fall events. The nearly 30 events and specials are listed at www.IslandsFallFest.com. Contacts: Suya Davenport (SDavenport@leegov.com) and Nancy Hamilton (NHamilton@leegov.com), 239-338-3500, www.FortMyersSanibel.com .
Edison & Ford Holiday Nights, formerly known as Holiday House, runs Dec. 12, 2008, to Jan. 3, 2009, this year at the Edison & Ford Estates in Fort Myers. The theme of the 33rd annual event is “antique toys of the Edison era.” Two special traveling exhibits will be on display: How the Edison & Ford Families Celebrated the Holidays , which will include original toys belonging to Edsel Ford on loan from The Henry Ford Museum, Dearborn, MI; and Holiday Traditions in Florida Traveling Exhibit on loan from the Museum of Florida History. Contact: Lisa Sbuttoni (lsbuttoni@efwefla.org), 239-334-7419, www.efwefla.org. Upcoming major events/festivals: (For details, access the online calendar at: www.FortMyersSanibel.com.)
Through Dec. 27, 2008
Dec. 5-6, 2008
Dec. 6, 2008
Dec. 6, 2008
Dec. 6, 2008
Dec. 7, 2008
Dec. 12, 2008-Jan. 3, 2009
Dec. 13, 2008
Dec. 13-23, 2008
Dec. 16-27, 2008
Dec. 16-31, 2008
Dec. 22, 2008
Dec. 27-28, 2008
Dec. 31, 2008
Dec. 31, 2008 For details about any of the above news items, contact the Communications Department, Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau:
Nancy Hamilton/
NHamilton@leegov.com
or call us at 800-237-6444/239-338-3500. For immediate general
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