June 5---Talkin' Tourism LIVE from the BVI

The June 5th edition of Talkin Tourism on Florida’s Treasure Coast will be broadcast from the Jolly Roger (http://www.jollyrogerbvi.com/), overlooking Soper's Hole in beautiful Tortola in the British Virgin Islands. Host Gary Guertin and special celebrity co-host Malcolm “Manpot” Boyes will be talkin’ tourism from under the graceful palms that line the beach. Don’t be surprised if you hear the blenders fire-up in the background, “it’s always five o’clock somewhere.”

The show will focus on several topics including an update on current Caribbean tourism trends and projections for the upcoming winter season, great summer get-a-ways in the USVI and BVI, the BVI-Treasure Coast connection, and even how Malcolm was christened “Manpot” by Bomba, owner of the world famous “Bomba Shack” located on Cappoons Bay on Tortola’s NW coast. Who knows, host Gary Guertin may come back with an “island name.”

Surprises…you bet, once you are at Latitude 18 degrees, time flies when your having rum! Pray for surf!

See you in the islands, mon.

May 29 Recap: Sea Turtles are great tourists!

Sea turtles are great tourist! Why? Because they come back to the same beach every year to lay their eggs! Such loyalty to a destination. Does temperature determine the sex of a sea turtle? Absolutely!

Debbie Fritz-Quincy reveals this and more during her guest appearance on this week's Talkin' Tourism on Florida’s Treasure Coast episode, including what it's like to be a true eco-tourist on the unique Galapagos Islands off the coast of Ecuador.

Where was the third largest artificial reef recently sunk?

Did you know that there are several companies in Oklahoma, Texas and Florida that actually look forward to the Hurricane Season as a “boost” for tourism?

What new airline is offering $9.00 fares to Toledo, OH, Lansing, Michigan, and Newark, NJ from Melbourne International Airport starting July 13th?

If you caught the show, you would know all of the above…and more. If you are just now going to download the show, enjoy! (Download the show HERE.)

Don’t forget to listen next week, June 5th (Friday), when Talkin' Tourism on Florida’s Treasure Coast broadcasts LIVE from beautiful Cane Garden Bay, Tortola in the British Virgin Islands.

Up this week: From Hobe Sound to the mysterious Galapagos Islands...what's the link?

Treasure Coast residents are certainly familiar with sea turtle’s nesting on our beautiful barrier island beaches every summer, but what about visitors?

This week’s show features special guest Debbie Fritz-Quincy, Director of the Hobe Sound Nature Center for the last 27 years. She will share her knowledge about sea turtles covering areas such as sea turtle biology (their sex life) and conservation, special permitted “Turtle Walks” and “Turtle Watches” that are available to visitors and how we can work together to protect these endanger oceanic icons. A special point of interest will be a recap of Debbie’s recent trip to the Galapagos Islands.

As always, local, regional and state-wide topics of tourism interest will hit the airwaves along with “This Week in Treasure Coast History”

Tune your dial to WPSL 1590 this Friday, May 28, at 10 a.m. and listen to the show live from the Captain's Lounge of Harborage Yacht Club & Marina.

NEWS RELEASE: Talkin’ Tourism radio show takes to the ‘road’

June 5 venue: Live from Tortola, British Virgin Islands

STUART, FL (May 27, 2009)— Gary Guertin, host of the Treasure Coast talk radio show Talkin’ Tourism on Florida’s Treasure Coast, is taking the show on the road in June to hype summer travel. The first live remote, scheduled Friday, June 5, will air from Cane Garden Bay, Tortola in the British Virgin Islands (BVI).

“Instead of talking about tourism, we’ve decided to reverse roles and become tourists ourselves,” said Guertin. “There are some great deals out there this summer and we’ll be exploring a few of the options beginning with the June 5th show.”

Film producer, director, and writer Malcolm Boyes will co-host the June 5 show with Guertin. Boyes has worked for People magazine, as a movie critic and on-air celebrity reporter and producer for CNN, co-wrote and reported for Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous, helped launch Inside Edition, and also worked for A Current Affair, EXTRA, Hard Copy, Real TV, The Insider, and Entertainment Tonight. He traveled to the Caribbean for The Travel Channel, wrote and produced the highly successful Wild Weddings special with Cheri Brownlee for TLC, and he co-wrote, directed and produced The Justice Hunters for USA Network. Boyes lives part-time in the BVI and in Sonoma, California.

Talkin’ Tourism airs every Friday on WPSL 1590 AM from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. The show is produced by Harborage Yacht Club & Marina.

Scenic highways, wildlife management, birding, and top 10 beaches

Special thanks to guests Nancy Oliver and Dr. Bijaya “BJ” Kattel of the South Florida Water Management District for joining us in the studio.

The primary topic was the new equestrian trail at Allapattah Flats Wildlife Management Area in western Martin County.

Here's what we covered and what you will learn if you download/listen to the show (download HERE):

• What does a quest for a Scenic Highway designation and the opening of the Allapattah Flats Wildlife Management Area have to do with one another?

• How many acres of former cattle pasture and grazing land is now being “redeveloped” in a GOOD way?

• What does “Wildlife Management” really mean?

• Did you know that Martin Grade was once the cattle trail that Crackers used to get their cattle from Okeechobee to Ft. Pierce?

• What state in the Northeast regularly calls the most frequently about “birding opportunities” on property managed by the South Florida Water Management District?

• Dr. Beach”, Stephen P. Leatherman recently announced his list of the Top 10 Beaches for 2009. Which two Florida beaches made the top 10 beaches.

Also, check out the photos from this week's show and see the special guest you won't hear on the show.

May 22: Horsin' around at Allapattah Flats

This week's show listeners will discover the new equestrian trail at Allapattah Flats Wildlife Management Area, which opened yesterday, May 20, in western Martin County.

The trail has been in the works for two years and was created through a partnership between Martin County and the South Florida Water Management District, with involvement from area residents and the state Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, which manages the land.

Guests will include Nancy Oliver, a resident who helped bring the project to reality, and South Florida Water Management District's Bijaya “BJ” Kattel (pictured on the horse), a senior recreational planner for the Land Stewardship Division of the South Florida Water Management District.

In addition to the 'horsey tourism,' we'll let you know how you can be a tourist in your own hometown this Memorial Day Weekend, and give you an update on general Florida tourism news. Time permitting, we'll give you the latest on the Exchange Club of Indian River Foundation's 33rd annual Blue Water Open Offshore Fishing Tournament and the 23rd annual Treasure Coast Builders Association Fishing Tournament--both scheduled for the approaching weekend.

Last, Talkin' Tourism co-host Robin Hicks-Connors from the Historical Society of Martin County will give listeners a history tidbit during her weekly This Week in Treasure Coast History.

This Friday, May 22, tune your radio dial to WPSL 1590 AM at 10 a.m. to listen to the show live from the Captains Lounge of Harborage Yacht Club & Marina.

Treasure Coast Bike Fest and more

Listen this week as Talkin' Tourism host Gary Guertin and co-host Robin Hicks-Connors rev their engines with CEO of The ARC of Martin County, Keith Muniz, and Funding and Development Director Ken DeAngeles as they share the excitement of the up coming John Pierson, Toyota of Stuart’s Treasure Coast Bike Fest. Also, learn about The ARC and why this worthy cause needs your support.

Biker’s will 'invade' Stuart’s Flagler Park May 30 and 31 as Bike Fest descends on the sleepy town of Stuart, Florida! Organizers promise there will be something for everyone.

Hospitality Recognition Awards were presented at the Martin County Convention & Visitors Bureau's first Industry Appreciation Luncheon. Sample of the nominees? How about a breakfast cook at a local hotel who has not missed a day’s work in 10 years? Now, that's dedication!

Learn about the 1,500 anglers competing in eight fishing tournaments in one weekend! Here, only on the Treasure Coast.

As always, Robin’s 10 Picks for this weekend will get you thinking about “Things to do and Places to go” on the Treasure Coast this weekend.

Did you know that this week in Treasure Coast History the Ashley Gang held up the local bank…or that a major feature film was produced in Stuart in 1916?

Enjoy another fact and fun filled episode of Talkin Tourism on Florida’s Treasure Coast. Enjoy AND tune in next week on Friday, May 22 to WPSL 1590 AM at 10 a.m. to listen to us live.

Download or listen to the show on your computer by clicking HERE.

See you next week!

Share a Little Sunshine

If you are involved in/care about Florida tourism, please pass this along and "Share a Little Sunshine.



To learn more, go follow this link to VISIT FLORIDA

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Is there truly a travel embargo to Cuba?

Robin and Gary took the simmering topic of Cuba’s possible opening to U.S. traveler’s to the airwaves in this week’s episode.
Travel industry expert David Carmen shared his knowledge on the current state of affairs and what may happen should the Obama administration decide to lift current travel restrictions.

Are the Cuban’s ready for the American tourist? Does the U.S. government truly enforce the travel embargo?

Obviously a very politically issue and a “lively and provocative topic. I have a feeling we will be revisiting this issue in the future.

May is full of fishing tournaments. Listen to the show and find out what’s on tap for the rest of the month.

Looking for something to do, check out “Robin’s Top Ten."

This week in 'Treasure Coast History,' Robin talks about the first boat to enter Stuart Harbor and the City of Stuart officially becoming a city!

For your listening pleasure, download the show HERE. See you next week!

Destination: Cuba

Cuba. Are we there yet? What happens when/if Cuba opens to American visitors? What’s happening around the State?

Are there bright spots on the horizon?

This week David Carmen, owner of Travel Plus and host of the popular travel show aired on WSTU-1450 AM, A Taste of Travel, joins Talkin' Tourism host Gary Guertin and co-host Robin Hicks-Connors.

David is an expert in the travel business and will give his thoughts on what may happen should travel restrictions for Americans wishing to visit Cuba be lifted in the future.

Will it impact Florida tourism? What Florida area is already planning for this possibility?

Getting outside of our area, we’ll share news and happenings in other Florida destinations and how they are coping with the economy.

Last, hear about Robin’s "Fishing Adventure” and the great luck the Reel Sassy/Harborage Yacht Club Fishing Team had last weekend.

Tune your radio dial to WPSL 1590 AM this Friday at 10 a.m. to hear the show live from the Captain's Lounge of Harborage Yacht Club & Marina.

Photos of the Harborage Yacht Club & Marina-Reel Sassy Fishing Team from yesterday's Frances Langford Memorial Fishing Tournament. Our team didn't place in any of the divisions, but they did bring in six nice sized Mahi Mahi. Fire up the grill!

More photos and video footage to come. Here's a link to some of the photos: http://picasaweb.google.com/talkintourism/HarborageReelSassyFishingTeamFrancesLangford?feat=directlink.

Thanks ladies for representing HYCM well, thanks Reel Sassy for outfitting the team, and thanks to One Call Charters for putting the girls on the fish!

Parks, Fishing, Reel Sassy and Martin County Beach Parking Fees(?)

Well, they say start out with a plan and then “adjust". The plan went sideways when Co-Host Robin Hicks-Connors called to say that when she returned from her morning run, nearly 25 friends showed up at her house for an early “birthday surprise". Since Robin had agreed to fish the Langford tournament “on her birthday” she got the day off. Harborage Yacht Club Marina Manager, Scott Fletcher, was pressed into service in his first stint as a radio co-host and did a great job. We had hoped to have Reel Sassy co-owner Kimberlee Ewing, but she had a conflicting appointment. Lo and behold, a half-hour before the show, Kimberlee called and said her appointment was cancelled and she could appear on the show. Wow, what a morning!

Martin County Parks Director Richard Blankenship delivered the “goods” and provided insight and information on everything you wanted to know about Martin County Parks. By they way, how many park facilities exist in Martin County? Listen and learn, but I can tell you it is more than 50!

Beach parking fees for non-residents? I'd like to know your opinion. Listen to Richard’s explanation as to how this would work if implemented by the Martin County Board of County Commissioners. E-mail your opinion to talkintourism@gmail.com.

See you all next week…Gary. Download or listen to the show HERE.

Update from Frances Langford Tournament Captain's Briefing (May 1)

Short clip from the Captain's briefing at the Frances Langford Memorial Fishing Tournament: