Kudos

This column recognizes the outstanding achievements of those in the tourism industry. Please join us in acknowledging these accomplishments. 

Record numbers visit Edison & Ford Winter Estates

The Edison & Ford Winter Estates set an attendance record in January, February and March 2010 with 90,658 visitors – more than any other quarter since 2006. 

“Dramatic change, growth, award-winning restoration and dedication to program development have contributed to the success of the estates in the past several years,” said Chris Pendleton, estates president and CEO. “With quarterly tour visitation up, as well as additional participation in new programs in history, science and the arts, there has been a great resurgence of interest and use of the site by visitors as well as community members. We are delighted to have so many people come to the estates and enjoy their visit.”

In addition to the many achievements, awards and program growth, the site remains one of the most visited homes in America. For additional information call 239-334-7419 or visit www.efwefla.org.

Wanderlust raises $230,000 for FGCU Resort & Management Program

A sellout crowd of 400 guests attended the 21st annual “Wanderlust” at The Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club on April 14. Guests bidding on live and silent auction packages and purchasing tickets to win a wine raffle or attend a Saks after-hours event raised $230,000 for Florida Gulf Coast University’s Resort & Hospitality Management Program.

The annual travel and culinary fundraising event is hosted by southwest Florida’s major resorts, private clubs, restaurants and tourism partners. The single largest bid of the evening was $17,000 for a seven-night voyage on The World by ResidenSea, an ultra-luxury ship that is home to millionaires. Details on the event are available at http://cps.fgcu.edu/resort/wanderlust.html.

Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum earns national accreditation

The Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum on Sanibel Island has achieved accreditation from the American Association of Museums (AAM), the highest national recognition for a museum.

 “The accreditation process and affirmative result demonstrate the commitment of a relatively young institution to professionalism and the highest standards in the museum field,” said Dr. José Leal, director/curator for The Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum.

Of the nation’s estimated 17,500 museums, 775 are accredited. The Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum is one of only 48 museums accredited in Florida.

“Accreditation assures the people of Lee County that their museum is among the finest in the nation,” said Ford Bell, AAM president. “As a result, the citizens can take considerable pride in their homegrown institution, for its commitment to excellence and for the value it brings to the community.”

Established in 1995, The Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum is the most comprehensive museum in the Western Hemisphere dedicated solely to shells with more than 30 exhibits. For more information, visit www.shellmuseum.org.

Lahania Island achieves best in reservation excellence

            The Vacation Rental Managers Association (VRMA), the only professional trade association for the vacation rental management industry, named Fort Myers Beach-based rental company Lahaina Island Accommodations (LIA) as best in the industry for reservations excellence.

LIA was the only southwest Florida business to be honored this year by the VRMA, an association encompassing more than 600 property management and associate member companies in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean.

As a result of the designation, LIA owner Barb Garfold was selected to speak on a panel of leaders last month at the 2010 VRMA conference in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

“We have provided our reservations staff with state-of-the-art technology and ongoing professional training to ensure the best service for our vacationers,” Garfold said. “It is an honor to be recognized for this accomplishment by our industry peers.”

LIA specializes in vacation and seasonal rentals with more than 160 fully furnished, privately owned luxury condominiums and homes on Fort Myers Beach and Bonita Beach. For more information call 877-644-0515 or visit www.beachfloridarentals.com.

Maltz raises $24,000 for wildlife rehabilitation

Pictured are (l to r): Steve Greenstein, CROW executive director; Susan Tucker, CROW president; Amber McNamara, CROW veterinarian; Don DeLuca, vice president and general counsel of the Royal Shell Companies; Randy Bacik, CEO of Royal Shell Vacations; and Alan S. Maltz, the official wildlife photographer for the State of Florida. Photo courtesy Island Sun newspaper.

Key West photographer Alan S. Maltz helped raise $24,000 for the Clinic for Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) at the official introduction of his newest photographic art book, Visions of Beauty - Fort Myers, Sanibel & Beyond. A book signing party was held at Ellington's Jazz Club & Restaurant on Sanibel Island.

Maltz donated 10 limited-edition artist proofs on canvas of varying sizes. The photographs were auctioned to a crowd of more than 350 Sanibel & Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce members and invited guests with 100 percent of the proceeds benefiting CROW. Maltz also autographed copies of his new book with a percentage of sales benefiting the non-profit veterinary hospital, which is one of the nation's leading wildlife rehabilitation hospitals for tropical, native and migratory wildlife. The event was sponsored by The Royal Shell Companies.

Sanibel Harbour Marriott® Resort & Spa earns 20th AAA four-diamond award

Sanibel Harbour Marriott® Resort & Spa has earned an AAA Four-Diamond Award for the 20th year. The resort also is among the top 4 percent of AAA Diamond rated hotels in the country. As a recipient of the AAA Four-Diamond Award since 1992, Sanibel Harbour Marriott is the only Four-Diamond rated property in Fort Myers.

“Our staff is so proud to have been awarded with the AAA Four-Diamond again,” says Cory Clark, general manager Sanibel Harbour Marriott Resort & Spa. “It takes everyone going above and beyond to earn the Four-Diamond rating and be in the top percentage of AAA rated properties in the country. We are truly honored.”

AAA annually evaluates more than 32,000 lodging establishments and rates them on a scale of one to five diamonds, ranging from simple to luxurious. To qualify, properties must first meet 27 essential requirements based on member expectations, including cleanliness, comfort, security and safety. The Four-Diamond rating indicates the extensiveness of services, amenities and décor provided.

For more information on Sanibel Harbour Marriott Resort & Spa, visit www.sanibelmarriott.com.

Hotel announces community give-back program

Locals who stay overnight at Fort Myers Beach’s newest resort condominium, Harbour House at the Inn, now can help out their favorite nonprofit at the same time.

From now until June 30, locals who book an overnight stay at the Harbour House at the Inn can request 10 percent of their hotel bill be donated to the local nonprofit of their choice.

Harbour House at the Inn is a three story mixed-use 34-unit boutique hotel located on Old San Carlos Blvd. in the downtown district of Fort Myers Beach adjacent to Matanzas Inn Resort.

“This community has been great to us and we wanted to do something to give back, especially in such a time of need,” said Cullen Teel, innkeeper of Harbour House. “The best part is guests can choose their charity, whether it is the local American Cancer Society, Alzheimer’s group or American Red Cross.”

Teel said the donation request must be made at the time of booking. For more information, visit www.harbourhouseattheinn.com. For reservations, call 239-463-0700.

Sanibel Island ranks on TripAdvisor’s list of world's best travel spots

TripAdvisor®, the world's largest travel community, honored 576 of the best travel spots in the world with its 2010 Travelers' Choice® Destinations Awards, and Sanibel Island ranked sixth on the Top 10 List of Best Beach & Sun Destinations in the United States.

TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice Awards are based on millions of reviews and opinions from travelers on TripAdvisor.com®. The winners were determined by a combination of travelers' destination comments, favorite places and overall destination popularity on TripAdvisor.

Destinations were awarded in the following categories: top destinations in the U.S. and world, best for families, romance, beach and sun, culture sightseeing, food and wine, nightlife, outdoor and adventure, relaxation and spa and top emerging destinations.

Of Sanibel Island, TripAdvisor said, “Most vacation spots are either relaxing (Tahiti) or family-friendly (Orlando). Sanibel Island, however, is that rare place which is both. Spend a quiet afternoon shell-collecting, or find a hotel with a kids' program so you can enjoy a trip to the spa or a round of golf.”

For a full list of the top 10 beaches, visit http://www.tripadvisor.com/TCDestinations-cBeachSun-g191.  A list of all Travelers’ Choice awards is available at www.tripadvisor.com.

To share a kudos for awards, promotions or other accomplishments in the local tourism industry, e-mail lrose@leegov.com.
 

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