CONTACTS:   Nancy Hamilton, Lee Rose (941) 338-3500

(December 13, 2001) LEE ISLAND COAST, FL – For the second consecutive year, the Lee Island Coast (identified as the Fort Myers area) in southwest Florida, has earned a spot on the Top-10 list of U.S. destinations, according to the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA)/Fodor’s Annual Hot Spots Survey for Winter 2002.

When ASTA agents were asked to name their top bookings for the winter, they cited Fort Myers (tied with Denver) among other popular destinations such as Las Vegas, Orlando, Hawaii, New York City, Phoenix, Los Angeles, and Miami. The results placed Fort Myers above New Orleans and San Francisco.

ASTA is the world’s largest and most influential travel trade association with over 26,000 members in more than 170 countries.

"It’s quite gratifying to see that for the second year, these prominent organizations have recognized the Lee Island Coast as one of the country’s most popular vacation destinations," said D.T. Minich, CDME, executive director of the Lee Island Coast Visitor and Convention Bureau (VCB). "Building strong relationships with travel agents has always been a priority to the VCB." The bureau’s dedicated Travel Agent Help Desk initiates direct sales efforts through various outreach programs, including travel agent fams, as well as offering personalized, customized information to assist their clients. The Travel Agent Help Desk also provides information on special hotel rates and packages to qualified agents.

Travel agents are invited to call the Help Desk at (800)237-6444.

EDITOR’S NOTE: The Lee Island Coast in southwest Florida includes Sanibel/Captiva/Pine islands, historic Fort Myers, Fort Myers Beach, Bonita Springs and beaches, Cape Coral, North Fort Myers, Boca Grande, and Lehigh Acres. For more information, log on to our Web site at www.LeeIslandCoast.com .