Treasure Coast: A Boating Mecca

Sunset Bay Marina & Anchorage, Stuart, FL
PHOTO CREDIT: Sailblogs/svearendil

A drive around the Treasure Coast waterfront will attest to the fact that our valued seasonal boaters have returned en mass for another season. With so many miles of shoreline along the North and South Fork of the St. Lucie River, the wide Indian River Lagoon stretching the length of the Treasure Coast, and the Okeechobee Waterway/Cross Florida Canal connecting Florida’s West Coast to the East Coast, it is no wonder the Treasure Coast is a boating mecca.

This week we will broadcast live from Sunset Bay Marina and Anchorage in Stuart, Florida. Featured in this week’s show will be Buzz Billue, the Sunset Bay Marina harbour master, who has a legendary history along the Treasure Coast waterfront, as well as John Smith, the president of the Marine Industries Association of the Treasure Coast (MIATC). Among the topics discussed will be the importance of marine tourism to the Treasure Coast, how can we continue to enhance our region as a boating destination, and the importance of the Islands of the Bahamas as a destination for many Treasure Coast boaters.

What does art have to do with marine tourism? Well, Judy “JP” Nichols, waterfront coordinator for the Arts Council of Martin County, along with the Council's executive director Nancy Turrell, will be in the studio to promote the Arts Council’s newest art celebration, Waterfront Wednesdays at Sunset Bay Marina. In addition to our main topics, we will also update listeners on the sailfish tournament season, what recent tournament set another record, what’s new in the Bahamas and around the Treasure Coast, and more.

See you on the docks Friday morning at 10:05! You can catch the show on your radio at WPSL 1590 AM or from your computer at www.wpsltv.com. Can you smell the salt air already?

Made New Year's plans yet? If not, check out this Bimini fireworks extravaganza.

Talkin' Tourism show hosts Gary and Robin touched upon Bimini Sands Resort & Marina on last week's show and mentioned the resort's annual New Year's Eve pyrotechnics show, plus the great winter all-inclusive vacation package,which covers everything from luxury villa accommodations, a free slip for boat owners, on site resort activities, all meals, and even adult libations. AND, there are no blackout dates, even over the holidays.

Here's a link for more information. If you decide to book, tell them Talkin' Tourism sent you!

Bimini Sands Resort & Marina 4th Annual New Year's Eve Fireworks Extravaganza.

Holiday travel, sailfish bites, and Florida's top destinations for Christmas travel

Show host Gary Guertin with
AAA Auto Club South  travel
representative Gary Smith.

The studio was jumping with activity Friday morning. Upon arrival, show host and co-producer Gary Guertin discovered the “committee boat” (the radio location where tournament sailfish catches are recorded )  for the Pirates Cove Sailfish Classic was three feet from the broadcast desk as the first day of fishing was underway—surprise! Unlike the slow bite experienced the week before during the Finest Kind Quickie tournament, indications before showtime (with 30 releases since 8 a.m.) was the sailfish bite had picked up considerably. One hour later, just as Talkin' Tourism was wrapping up, the total had grown to 46! Thanks for the mid-show on-air update Committee Boat Capt. Beth.

Moving to the main topic, special guest Gary Smith, a travel representative with AAA Auto Club South, jumped in providing lots of great holiday travel information. There is no doubt that despite the tough economy, millions of people will be taking to the highways, byways and skyways during the holiday season. 

First up was the importance of driver safety and the Tow to Go Program, which is a  partnership between AAA and Budweiser. This program has definitely made an impact on driver and roadway safety. Gary Smith also educated show hosts and guest on the current complexity of air travel, baggage fees challenges, cruise opportunities, great places to visit in Florida during the holidays, and a whole lot more. 

Other sidebars included: (1) the top three wishes of holiday travelers; (2) what inconveniences travelers will endure to save money; and, (3) what Florida cities were in HomeAway's top five (of ten) list for Christmas travel (and guess what, co-host Robin Hicks-Connors has seen them all!).

Hope you enjoyed another informative and entertaining edition of Talkin' Tourism. If you missed the show, no worries! You can listen to or download the December 2 Talkin' Tourism show here.

See you next Friday!

Travel wise--It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

With the holidays here, the topic on a lot of peoples minds is certainly holiday travel. By land, sea or air, people will be heading off to see family and friends or to take a great holiday vacation. Millions around the world will become tourists, at least for a little while.

To explore holiday travel in more detail, this week  AAA Auto Club South Travel Specialist Gary Smith will join us in the studio. What will we cover? For starters here are a few topics---How far on average will people be traveling by car? Will the price of gas have an impact on the number of people traveling this year? What about airline prices? 

With so many people traveling by car, Gary Smith will also discuss AAA Auto Club South’s Driver Safety Program. The Treasure Coast certainly attracts its share of holiday visitors. What activities and events are in store for visitors planning to spend time on the Treasure Coast? This should be an information packed show for those planning to hit the road this holiday season and even for those choosing to stay closer to home.

With the sailfish tournament season underway, Talkin’ Tourism is following the results of this Treasure Coast tradition. With the Finest Kind Quickie now in the history books, the Treasure Coast Championship Series is gearing up for kick-off. Do you know what winning boat has ties to the Bahamas Billfish Championship? Listen in today and you will learn all about those amazing Flahama connections.

See you later this morning (Friday, December 2) at 10:05 a.m. on WPSL 1590 AM or streaming live at www.wpsltv.com.