Jan 18, 2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE              

CONTACTS: Nancy Hamilton, Lee Rose, Jessica Grace (239)338-3500

 2007 U.S. travel destinations survey ranks Fort Myers in the Top-10

LEE COUNTY, FL – An authoritative travel trends survey places The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel in southwest Florida on the Top-10 list of U.S. travel destinations for 2007, according to 507 Carlson Wagonlit Travel Associate Agencies throughout the country.

The analysis asked travel agents to identify their top bookings for 2007 and Fort Myers placed ninth on the list.  The November and December 2006 poll represented approximately 83 percent of all Carlson Wagonlit Travel office locations.  The poll also shows increases in average length of vacations and bookings equal to or above last year.

Besides Fort Myers, other popular destinations earning spots on the list included Las Vegas, Orlando, Honolulu, Maui, and New York City.  The results placed Fort Myers above San Francisco, California.

"…Florida has bounced back quite well after a quiet season weather-wise," said Roger E. Block, CTC, executive vice president of the Carlson Wagonlit Travel Associate Division.  "It is important to note that our top two trends are clients feeling more confident about traveling farther from home' and clients are spending more per vacation'…" 

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.

The Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau'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 (U.S./Canada), or visit www.FortMyersSanibel.com .

EDITOR'S NOTE: The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel in southwest Florida includes: Sanibel & Captiva islands, Fort Myers Beach, Fort Myers, Bonita Springs & Estero, Cape Coral, Pine Island, Boca Grande & Outer islands, North Fort Myers, Lehigh Acres.

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