CONTACTS:
Nancy Hamilton, Lee Rose
(239)338-3500
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2003 U.S. travel destinations survey includes
southwest Florida’s Lee Island Coast
LEE ISLAND COAST, FL – The Lee Island Coast (identified as the Fort Myers area) in southwest Florida, has earned a ranking on the Top-10 list of U.S. travel destinations for 2003, according to a just-released survey of 142 Carlson Wagonlit travel agents.
Fort Myers placed eighth place, tying with Phoenix/Scottsdale. Both destinations were named by 13 percent of the travel agents when asked to identify their top bookings for 2003. The December 2002 poll of 142 travel agents represented approximately one in seven of Carlson Wagonlit’s 1,000 locations nationally.
In addition to Fort Myers, other popular destinations making the list included Las Vegas, Orlando, Honolulu, Maui, and New York City. The results placed Fort Myers above Los Angeles.
Carlson Wagonlit is part of the Carlson Leisure Group, which manages leisure and franchise travel operations throughout the U.S. under a variety of companies and brands. The organization serves millions of leisure and corporate travelers around the world.
“For years, the Lee Island Coast Visitor and Convention Bureau (VCB) has been
committed to building strong relationships with travel agents worldwide,” said D.T. Minich, C.D.M.E., VCB executive director. “Our destination is most proud to have been selected by this prestigious group of travel agents.”
The VCB’s
dedicated Travel Agent Help Desk initiates direct sales efforts through various
outreach programs, including travel agent familiarization tours, 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, or log onto www.LeeIslandCoast.com .
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.