Lee Tourism: Celebrate tourism with Travel Rally

May 30, 2023

Another season is officially over. Spring break 2017 is history and schools are back in session. The snowbirds are heading north. The roads are less crowded and we can get into our favorite restaurants without long waits. Let’s take a breath and enjoy some time for ourselves.

At the Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau, we are looking forward to celebrating tourism as we head into National Travel and Tourism Week May 7-13.

Recognizing tourism’s best

At the VCB, one of our favorite projects is to recognize those who contribute to what drives the area’s economic engine: tourism. On April 28 local individuals and businesses will be honored with Chrysalis Awards at the annual Celebration of Business & Tourism Awards Luncheon and Trade Show. It will take place from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Sanibel Harbour Marriott Resort & Spa.

Spring break off beaten path from Buckingham to Fort Myers Beach

Co-produced by the Fort Myers Chamber and the VCB, the awards will honor recipients in the categories of Business Development, Eco-Innovation, Cultural Achievement, Education, Sports and Sales & Marketing. For details and to reserve seating, visit www.leevcb.com.

Tourism is something to celebrate

Mark your calendars for the Lee County Travel Rally May 2 from 4 to 7 p.m. at Lakes Regional Park in Fort Myers. This free event will host tourism partners, their employees and families, along with the community for three hours of fun.

Rally participants will enjoy music, prize giveaways, food, face painting and some silly tourism races such as Kids Luggage Lug, Bellman’s Race, and Make that Bed. There is also an outdoor trade fair to showcase local businesses. Sign up now for a free admission ticket and free parking sticker to attend the rally. There’s no fee to participate as an exhibitor, so please sign up for that as well at www.leevcb.com.

The Travel Rally champions tourism as a major player in the local economy. It contributes significantly to job growth and emphasizes the vital importance of trained travel and hospitality professionals.

And we want to videotape your story

We’re focusing on the people behind our travel industry with this year’s theme: “Faces of Travel.” Our industry is one that relies on human interaction, whether it’s the front desk concierge at a hotel or a line employee. We want to capture your contributions to Lee County tourism. Find us at the Travel Rally and let us put you and your story in the spotlight.

Bragging rights

We know how lucky we are to live in our Southwest Florida paradise. So, let’s brag a little. Tell your friends on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram why you love to live here. One of my favorite things to do is post beautiful photos of our area when the weather is dreadful everyplace else. Our local community is an important component of marketing our area to the world. And we need your help. There is still time to vote for Sanibel Island as your favorite small town in the South in USA Today’s 10best contest. Visit www.10best.com/awards/travel/best-southern-small-town-2017 and vote once per day until polls close at noon on April 24.

-- Tamara Pigott is the executive director of the Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau (VCB), the lead marketing agency charged with bringing worldwide visitors to Lee County. Almost 5 million visitors spend nearly $3 billion annually. The VCB is funded exclusively by a 5 percent tourist tax and works to preserve and protect area beaches and the environment.