The Importance of FOOD and SMERFs (not the little blue guys)

In addition to clean, comfortable and reasonable accommodations, what is next on the list of visitor “wants” when checking out a vacation destination? The answer is F-O-O-D!

Dining options are a very important factor when visitors are deciding where to spend their valuable “vacation time,” whether they are seeking five-star dining experiences or looking for fun, unique and “down-home” culinary experiences.

Cape Cod Ipswich fried clams and lobster salad, Maryland crab cakes and She Crab soup from the Low Country, conch fritters and conch salad from the Bahamas....hungry? This week we'll check out the role regional signature food plays in enhancing a tourism destination. And, what about service? Décor themes and unique venues add to the experience too. Lots to talk about and special guest Diana Foote, restaurant critic for Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers will be in the studio to give us 'insider' information. Diana will also describe the various Treasure Coast dining experiences visitors and residents can enjoy here on the Treasure Coast and she'll share what she looks for in a dining experience. Sounds like hosts Gary Guertin and Robin Hicks-Connors will definitely be out to lunch this week!

Some people travel solo and others in a group or as a family. These type of travelers are commonly referred to as “leisure travelers." What about group travel? Tenille McCloud, director of sales for Martin County’s Hutchinson Island Marriott Resort and Marina, will introduce listeners to SMERF’s, not to be confused with Smurfs (the little blue guys) you may have seen on TV or in the movie. S (social), M (military), E (educational), R (religious), F (fraternal) is an industry term to describe the main market segments of tourism group business destinations seek in their overall marketing efforts. Tenille will let us know how the Treasure Coast does in this special niche market, and maybe a few pointers on what the area can do better to attract this valuable market.

The show would not be complete without History Lady’s view of what’s happening on the Treasure Coast, Bahamas updates,  and certainly some laughter, so tune in tomorrow (Friday, October 8) at 10:05 a.m. and catch a mini-vacation and tourism news on this week’s edition of Talkin' Tourism on Florida’s Treasure Coast (and Beyond!). You can catch the show on your radio at WPSL 1590 AM or on the Internet at www.wpsl.com.

NEWS RELEASE: Guy Harvey and Vaughn Cochran Team to Create Black Fly Bimini at the Bimini Big Game Club

Vaughn Cochran to create Black Fly Bimini at the Bimini
Big Game Club, Bimini, Bahamas.

Guy Harvey has annouced he is teaming with fellow artist, conservationist and fly fishing personality, Vaughn Cochran, to launch Black Fly Bimini.

Opening in late October 2010, Black Fly Bimini will operate out of the newly reopened Bimini Big Game Club, a Guy Harvey Outpost Resort and Marina.

Black Fly Bimini will organize all of the Big Game Club's backcountry fishing programs, with on-site staff, operations and merchandising support.

Based in Jacksonville, Florida, Cochran and his fly fishing wife, Jean, oversee Black Fly Inc., a collection of enterprises featuring fly fishing merchandise, art and travel. The couple has recently opened Black Fly Bonefish Club, their newest lodge, located on Great Abaco Island in the Bahamas.

"Bimini is one of those rare locations where you can have world-class back-country and offshore fishing just minutes from the dock." said Cochran. "Hands down any day, for a pure adrenaline rush, the Grey Ghosts of Bimini can hold their own against the Man in the Blue Suit," Cochran added referring to the Blue Marlin that is synonymous with Bimini's reputation among off-shore anglers.

About Vaughn Cochran: A Florida native, Cochran grew up in the art community of St. Augustine and earned art degrees in ceramics and painting at the internationally known and respected Art and Printmaking Department of the University of South Florida. Arriving in Key West in 1972, he started his fishing career, teaching Jimmy Buffet how to fly fish while playing the washboard, banjo and bass guitar for his Coral Reefer Band. Becoming one of the most respected fly fishing guides in the Florida Keys, Cochran later managed some of the legendary fishing lodges of the Caribbean and Central America, including Parismina Tarpon Rancho in Costa Rica and Turneffe Island Lodge in Belize. Along the way, he nurtured his artistic calling, and today his works are found in numerous private and corporate collections, including a recent one-man exhibition at the IGFA¹s main gallery.

With his quick wit and entertaining laid back style, Cochran is a frequent host and guest of various fly-fishing TV shows including the popular 'Spanish Fly' with fishing pal, Jose Wejebe.

What started out as Vaughn Cochran's marine art gallery years ago has turned into a unique destination fly shop in the U.S., Black Fly Outfitter, a full service technical fly shop specializing in saltwater flies, custom fly kits, fly rods, fly reels and clothing for tropical fly fishing destinations around the world.

About Bimini Big Game Club, a Guy Harvey Outpost Resort and Marina: Founded as a dinner club in 1936 in Alice Town, by Nassau entrepreneur and bon-vivant, Neville Stuart, the Big Game Club has over the last 74 years hosted world-class fishermen, major tournaments, international celebrities and tens of thousands guests looking to bask in the unique 'Islands in the Stream' mantra made famous by author Ernest Hemingway who fished and lived in Bimini in the mid 1930s.

Today, the Big Game Club's Outpost concept is designed to take the resort beyond that of a 'fishing lodge' to create an eco-destination attracting both fishing and diving enthusiasts while focusing on adventure travel, sustainable tourism and marine conservation. The Club features a 51-room resort and a 75-slip marina capable of accommodating boats up to 145 linear feet. By Spring 2011, a full service fuel dock will be operational. Phase II plans include a Guy Harvey Theater, guest lecture series and interactive sessions with Dr. Harvey and the Guy Harvey Research Institute at NOVA Southeastern Oceanographic Center and day trips to the Bimini Biological Field Station¹s world-famous shark lab.

Hutchinson Island Treasures, Muster Days, and Southern Kings

Jack Holmes, managing partner of the
Southern Kingfish Association
and guest co-host Ed Griffith.

Heading “up island” to the Sandhurst Hotel and Suites, the venue for Friday’s show, was a real treat for show host Gary Guertin and guest co-host Ed Griffith. Nothing like a great drive along A-1-A knowing you have 17 miles of pristine beach on your starboard side and miles of the most diverse estuary in North America on your port side. No traffic lights, no neon, no strip malls. Just a barrier island the way it should be.

Friday’s show celebrated kingfish and Navy Seals, but first, we had Sandhurst Hotels and Suites General Manager Ryan O’Connor describe this great waterfront property. Check the property out the next time you are on the Treasure Coast, especially if you are a fishing enthusiast. Great rates, attentive service and this perfect location can be all yours, just minutes from the Fort Pierce Inlet.

The National Navy UDT-Seal Museum was next on the menu with retired Captain Michael Howard and the museums curator Ruth McSween. Truly a “one of a kind" museum, this St. Lucie County attraction should be on the list of everyone who wants an up close and personal look at one of our country’s most elite military groups. When you listen to the show, you’ll learn why the museum actually was built on North Hutchinson Island and lots more interesting facts about the museum's upcoming Muster Day, which is expected to attract thousands of visitors to the Treasure Coast.

Jack Holmes, managing partner of the Southern Kingfish Association (SKA), rounded out the show with lots of background about how the SKA grew from an “idea” to the largest saltwater tournament organization in the world! It’s a great story. You’ll even know why it’s a kingfish association and not a grouper or dolphin association (could have been!). Jack even shared what he feels will be the bait of choice for the SKA Championship. Not a participant?  No worries! There will be lots of action and excitement for spectators at the weigh-in.

As promised, here is the link to the USA Today’s “Reporters at Sea, Family Style” contest to cover the unveiling of the cruise ship ALLURE of the SEAS coming December 2010:  http://contest.allureoftheseas.com/.  Good luck! It would be fantastic to have a Talkin' Tourism listener WIN!

Thanks for tuning in and for checking out the blog. We would love to hear your thoughts on the blog face-lift, and don’t forget to check out our sponsors and partners. Here's the audio link to the October 1 Talkin' Tourism. Enjoy!

In Celebration of Kingfish and Navy Seals

PHOTO CREDITS:  Paul's Travel Pictures

Talkin’ Tourism on Florida’s Treasure Coast (and Beyond) host Gary Guertin and special guest host Ed Griffith are headed 'up-island', South Hutchinson Island that is, to check out what’s happening at the Sandhurst Hotel and Suites, which is located on the waterfront overlooking the Fort Pierce Inlet. Touting "something for everyone," the crew is looking forward to the field trip and exploring the waterfront property. Ryan O’Connor, the property's general manger, will be on hand to describe the amenities and features of this South Hutchinson Island getaway.

In addition to learning about Sandhurst Hotel & Suites, a couple of major events descending on Fort Pierce and the Treasure Coast in just about four weeks will take center stage. What are they? Glad you asked. The first will bring anglers from around the country, and perhaps the world, for the Southern Kingfish Association's SKA Championship Tournament. When these angling teams arrive, you'll know it's all about the "catching" and not just the "fishing" as these fishing afficionadoes are in pursuit of a championship!

Jack Holmes, the co-founder and managing partner of SKA, will give listeners the ins and outs of the tournament, discuss its enormous popularity, and tell us where the competitors come from. Ed Killer, fishing and boating writer for Scripps/Treasure Coast Newspapers and Talkin' Tourism's resident fishing guru, will provide the big picture on how important these kind of events are to our marine tourism stakeholders.

Our second headliner this week is the National Navy UDT-SEAL Museum, which is celebrating its 25th annual Muster Day and SEAL Memorial dedication the same weekend as the SKA Championship. Muster Day and the SEAL Memorial dedication is forecast to draw 12,000 to 15,000 attendees alone to the area. The museum's executive director Capt. Michael Howard and museum curator Ruth McSween will run down all the activities associated with the celebration, which include a 5K beach run/walk, demonstrations by Navy SEAL teams, parachute drops, mock battles and more!  In addition, they'll describe the one-of-a-kind memorial, dedicated to the fallen in this elite group who served our coutnry and made the ultimate sacrifice, which will be dedicated during weekend activities.

Besides these great Treasure Coast topics, Gary and Ed will talk about everything from how your family can win an opportunity to cover the unveiling of the Royal Caribbean’s new luxury cruise ship, the Allure of the Seas, as official USA Today correspondents, to where the latest lionfish have been spotted in local rivers. All great stuff! So, set you radio dial to WPSL 1590 AM or go to http://www.wpsl.com/ to listen live. 'See' you Friday from  Ft. Pierce!