What they're saying about us

Public relations is recognized as one of the most effective and important tools in any successful marketing initiative. By capturing attention and touting the diverse attributes of our tourism product to traditional and social media worldwide, the Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau’s communications department generates millions of dollars worth of editorial coverage of our destination and tourism partners. In turn, potential visitors are engaged by journalists’ stories, which aids in choosing Lee County for vacations and meetings. Here’s a sample of what they’re saying about us . . .

USA Weekend
“Web sites such as stubhub.com and ballparkdigesttickets.com have seats, but to book packages including tickets, hotel and car rental, try companies such as Spring Training USA or Sports Travel and Tours. Sports Travel has a four-day trip to see the Boston Red Sox in Fort Myers, Fla. You get three nights at a Comfort Inn, the best available seats to two games and a car rental with unlimited miles for $595 a person, based on double occupancy. Airfare and peanuts are extra.”

Ladies’ Home Journal
“The Offshore Sailing School has been teaching rookie sailors the ropes for more than 30 years; this is its premier site. It offers two-hour lessons, weekend courses and three- to five-day intensive sessions. Captiva Island, directly off Florida’s gulf coast, is an easy drive from Fort Myers yet feels a world away from the hustle of mainland Florida. It’s mellow and relatively undeveloped (no traffic lights!). The school is part of the family-friendly South Seas Island Resort.”

Boston Globe
“The world may be focusing on the XXI Olympic Winter Games set to begin Friday in Vancouver, British Columbia, but this city is flying its own Olympic banner on the grounds of a new museum dedicated to art, athletics and the quest for excellence. Art of the Olympians, the brainchild of the late Al Oerter, a four-time Olympic gold medalist in the discus, opened late last month in a sun-washed, Mediterranean-style downtown building overlooking the Caloosahatchee River. It displays only art created by Olympic athletes, and in several media, including painting, drawing, sculpture, photography and graphic design. It is the only such institution approved by the US Olympic Committee and permitted to fly the Olympic flag. The museum’s mission, said Cathy Oerter, who took over the project when her husband died two years ago, is to show the common ground between sport and art. ‘We’re all creative individuals,’ she said. ‘In sports you have to really think about how to be innovative and get better. It’s a similar process for an artist.’ The museum, tagged the Al Oerter Center of Excellence, is ‘all about human relations and bettering humanity, the Olympic spirit.’”

The Un Road Trip – A Car-Free Journey Across America (blog)
“Pretty soon the Fort Myers skyline was visible, and just in time because my arms were starting to get sore. It was an interesting contrast – paddling through the beautiful natural environment and kayaking right under heavy-traffic bridges and toward a city skyline. We brought our kayaks ashore and Nathan and I headed to the Hotel Indigo, our home for the night, to clean up a bit.”

www.SmarterTravel.com
“Though she started out on the fence, reader Sylvia said, 'This is a tough one. There are gorgeous beaches all over the world. But my favorite beach, Bowman’s Beach on Sanibel Island, is unique. I had long known of the great shelling, but did not know how fantastic a place this is for nature viewing. All kinds of birds and dolphins can be seen every day. A day at the beach is a sight delight!’”

Travel + Leisure Magazine (50 Best Romantic Getaways 2010)
“This idyllic enclave on the Gulf of Mexico, 60 miles from Fort Myers, is a genuine glimpse of Old Florida, with whimsically named streets such as Damnificare, a postcard-worthy lighthouse watching over Gasparilla Island State Park, and long, quiet beaches lapped by gentle waves. The Innlet, the 33-room sister property of the old-guard Gasparilla Inn, has a dockside restaurant and a relaxed, let’s-go-fishing vibe. A certifiably funky Florida joint, Temptation – think murals of leaping tarpon and a neon martini sign – serves local grouper, pompano and soft-shell crabs.”

www.travelingmom.com
“The barrier islands off of Fort Myers are far from Florida’s popular, high-profile attractions. Here you’ll find a calmer, more natural part of the Sunshine State. Boats are the ride of choice and wildlife and history are the ‘theme parks.’ My 14-year-old daughter and I, who visited as guests of the Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau, are on the Lady Chadwick excursion boat looking for dolphins. Long after other passengers stop clapping and whistling to attract attention, I lean over the railing and quietly call to the marine creatures below, ‘Here baby, c’mon baby.’”

Canadian Traveler
“Travelers looking for an eco-experience can book with Captiva Cruises on Florida’s picture-perfect Captiva Island – their itineraries include trips to the out-islands, half-day shelling cruises, a dolphin and wildlife adventure cruise and a sunset serenade cruise. www.captivacruises.com.”

www.activetravels.com
“This week, I’m focusing on the Sunshine State, divulging my favorite adventures in the state. First up is sea kayaking the Great Calusa Blueway on Southwest Florida’s Gulf Coast. Whether you’re an advanced paddler or a novice, you’ll savor the sheltered bays, remote islands and hidden beaches on this 190-mile wet and wild corridor outside of Fort Myers. There are also inn-to-inn options. The highlight is the abundant sea life, including sightings of manatees, dolphins and turtles.”

Monsieur Magazine (France)
“The Fort Myers-Sanibel region is also a fishermen’s paradise. The Gulf of Mexico offers a great variety of fish (shark, pike, grouper, mullet, mackerel, cobias, halibut, red snapper, etc.) and numerous ways to fish them. The grand tradition, however, remains tarpon fishing. Indeed, sport fishing enthusiasts come from all over the world to catch this huge, prominent-jaw fish. The ideal place to stay is the Tarpon Lodge on Pine Island, a fishermen’s island. This upscale hotel offers packages including fishing outings. Additional information: www.pecheenfloride.com.”

Wedding TV (United Kingdom)
“Lovers Key National Park is an incredibly idealic spot and has become a haven for local wildlife and lovers waiting to enjoy the stunning sunsets. If Lovers Key has captured your heart, why not get married there?”

NOW Magazine (Toronto)
“The abundant wildlife and relaxed pace attract travelers from across North America and Europe. It’s also a popular holiday destination for Florida residents or people who need to kick back after the rigors of Disney World. At the end of the day filled with sand sea, I join a group of people who regularly gather at Turner Beach. From this perfect vantage point, we stand in silence until the fiery orange sun melts below the horizon. Gentle applause sweeps through the crowd as the sky’s flaming colors fade to darkness.”

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