Monthly Tourism Development Council Report to the Industry (08/12/2009)
August 17, 2009
June 2009 statistics

Visitation to The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel during June 2009 was about the same as a year ago, exceeding 450,000 visitors with an increase in those staying in paid accommodations (2 percent) and a slight decline in those
staying with friends and relatives (-0.9 percent). Total visitor expenditures are estimated at $206 million, up slightly from June 2008. June 2009 saw slight year-over-year declines in average occupancy rates, ADR and RevPAR.

June 2009 Occupancy Summary

June 2009 Visitor Origins

Resort tax collection report
The resort tax collection for June 2009 totaled nearly $1.4 million, a decrease of 9 percent from last June. Many other Florida counties are down 12 to 28 percent compared with last year.

Airport news
During June, 461,295 passengers traveled through Southwest Florida International Airport, a decrease of 5.5 percent compared to June 2008. Year-to-date, passenger traffic is down 3.8 percent over the same period last year. The traffic leader in June was Southwest with 67,338 passengers traveling to and from Fort Myers. Rounding out
the top five airlines were AirTran (64,022), Delta (63,220), US Airways (53,356) and JetBlue (52,576).

Islands FallFest kicks off
The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel offers the destination’s second annual Islands FallFest from Sept. 1 through Nov. 14, 2009. The promotion combines annual events and festivals with special rates and value added deals for visitors to Florida’s unspoiled island sanctuary. Fall is a great time to visit the area. It’s less crowded. The weather is cooler. Sandcastles dot the beaches. Pirates are preparing for a cannon battle. Stone crab season begins Oct. 15. An “old Florida” community shows off its creative side. An eco festival and a paddling festival celebrate the area’s natural resources. Visitors planning a vacation will find a complete listing of events and packages at www.Islandsfallfest.com. Islands FallFest is a chance to discover, or rediscover, the area. The nearly 30 events spotlighted during the 75-day celebration appeal to a wide variety of interests.In addition, TDC members Roxie Smith, Colleen DePasquale and Fran Myers have been reappointed to the council.

July and August Advertising Recap
In addition to the Islands FallFest promotional initiatives in July and August, the Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau (VCB) will also be reaching potential visitors with brand advertisements in several consumer, niche and meeting efforts in July:

• Consumer Magazines: Condé Nast Traveler (July 2009), Coastal Living Magazine (July/August 2009), O, The Oprah Magazine (July 2009), Southern Living Magazine (August 2009), USA Weekend Magazine (8/23/09)
• Niche Magazines: Sierra Magazine (July/August 2009) and Canoe & Kayak Magazine (July 2009 & August 2009)
• Meetings Magazine: Florida Society of Association Executives (July 2009)

E-Awards upcoming at Harborside
The VCB will honor the recipients of the 2009 Elaine McLaughlin Outstanding Hospitality Service Awards on Sept. 2 at Harborside Event Center in the Fort Myers River District beginning with a 7 a.m. buffet breakfast followed by the awards at 8 a.m. Please R.S.V.P. by Aug. 24 to (239)590-4855 or EAwards@leegov.com.

July sales activity
The VCB sales activity includes Travel Agent sales calls in Tampa and Orlando, FL; Boston, MA; and Baltimore, MD. To keep top of mind with meeting planners, the VCB participated in the Annual Florida Society of Association Executives Annual Conference in Ponte Vedra, FL; conducted meeting planner sales calls in Atlanta, GA; Chicago, IL; and a held a special VIP Client Event with the Boston Red Sox for area meeting professionals and the media. In the international market, the Sales team conducted calls on receptive tour operators in Orlando, FL. Our UK. representative also participated in the Annual Visit USA Ball in London, England.

Next TDC Meeting
The next TDC meeting is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 11, at the VCB office, located at 12800 University Drive, Suite 325. Please park on the top level of the parking garage. To view a complete tax collections report, go to www.LeeVCB.com. Contact: Suya Davenport at SDavenport@leegov.com, Lee County VCB, (239) 338-3500.