This week, May 19-25, has been designated National Travel and Tourism Week by the U.S. Travel Association. Founded in 1983, NTTW emphasizes the critical role of travel in driving economies, fostering vibrant communities and building connections.
Light Up Lee is one of several initiatives undertaken by the Lee County Tourism and Convention Authority to highlight the value of tourism to Lee County. Several Lee County landmarks will be lit up with blue lights at night to recognize the week of tourism celebrations.
Light Up Lee locations are as follows:
– Cape Coral Veterans Memorial, Cape Coral Parkway near Cape Coral Bridge
– Cape Coral City Hall Fountain on Cultural Park Boulevard
– Southwest Florida International Airport Control Tower
– Luminary Hotel in Downtown Fort Myers
– Sidney & Vern Davis Art Center (also located downtown)
– Old Lee County Courthouse
– Fort Myers City Hall
As word spreads, we expect more people to join in the blue light celebration.
For Lee County, travel is an economic engine, creating jobs and building community. It's time to turn on the blue lights in celebration. We would like to encourage all businesses in Lee County to celebrate NTTW and Light Up Lee.
In Lee County, tourism generated $2.9 billion in economic impact, supporting more than 48,000 jobs and generating $1.5 billion in wages and salaries in 2023. Tourist spending saves local residents about $1,000 per household in state and local taxes.
The Tourism Development Tax is a 5% bed tax on hotels and vacation rentals. That money is used to fund the VCB and its programs.
Tourism has made our economy more vibrant and richer. For example, the nonstop flights that bring visitors to our area are also used by Lee County residents to travel to places like Boston, Chicago, New York, and even abroad.
Tourists and locals alike enjoy spring training in Fort Myers and baseball games with the Boston Red Sox and Minnesota Twins. Stadium debt service for JetBlue Park and Lee Health Sports Complex (Hammond Stadium) is funded by bed taxes.
Visitors come here for our beautiful islands, beaches and neighborhoods; we are fortunate in that we can enjoy them all year round. VCB's Beach & Shoreline Funding Program provides direct benefits to visitors and residents alike, with the goal of promoting tourism while protecting and enhancing our beaches and shorelines. Since 2000, more than $195 million in bed tax revenues have been allocated to projects related to beach maintenance, beach revitalization and the development of beach park facilities.
VCB's other funding programs include Arts & Attractions Marketing and Event Marketing. Since 2004, VCB's Arts and Attractions Marketing program has provided financial assistance to non-profit arts and attractions organizations to increase awareness of local arts and cultural facilities. To date, $7.9 million has been allocated to the program.
The Event Marketing Program provides nonprofit organizations with financial assistance for out-of-market advertising and promotional activities with the goal of generating additional overnight stays at Lee County lodging facilities. To date, $3.3 million has been allocated to the program.
One example of an event that has received this funding is the Island Hopper Songwriter Fest, now in its 10th year, taking place Sept. 20-29. Performances by singer-songwriters will take place on Captiva Island, Cape Coral, downtown Fort Myers and Fort Myers Beach.
VCB's Tourism Ambassador Services division, based at RSW, oversees 130 volunteer tourism ambassadors who welcome and assist travelers. These amazing volunteers provide more than 27,000 hours of service and answer more than 400,000 questions a year.
These are just a few examples of how tourism enriches our communities in many ways. Celebrate National Travel and Tourism Week by adding blue light to your business.
Cecil L. Pendergrass is the Chairman of the Tourism Development Council and a Lee County Commissioner.
