Time for "fun in the sun" from Cape Cod to Grand Bahama!

Kor Dormans, the general manager of the Ocean Reef
Yacht Club & Resort will share  this week what's happening on
Grand Bahama and describe his south shore Grand Bahama
resort, accommodations and amenities.

Well now that Memorial Day has passed it's on to summer (which officially begins June 20 in the Northern Hemisphere) and time for fun in the sun!

Many South Floridians have their roots in the Northeast and many spent summer time on Cape Cod. To get a sense for the upcoming tourist season on “The Cape” Talkin’ Tourism will have the pleasure of speaking with Kristen Mitchell Hughes, the Vice President of Tourism Marketing of the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce/Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The Cape is blessed with hundreds of miles of pristine beaches, great fishing, unique history and culture, and some of the best fried clam rolls and lobster salad rolls known to man (or woman).  Are there any great deals happening?  Talkin’ Tourism wants to know.

From the north we will also travel to Freeport, Grand Bahama Island to catch up with Kor Dormans, General Manager of the Ocean Reef Yacht Club & Resort, a great resort and marina facility. Kor will also share what special opportunities await the prospective visitor to Grand Bahama Island as well as things to do, places to go and people to meet.

The voting is done and Talkin’ Tourism will reveal which town in America was vote the Ultimate Fishing Town.  You may be surprised as to where the number one fishing town is located and how many votes they received. (No, Stuart, the "Sailfish Capital of the World" did not win).

Fishing tournament wrap-ups and what’s ahead in the coming weeks for angler,s as well as fun events and activities for locals and visitors alike, will round out the hour.

Join us Friday, June 1, at 10:05 a.m. on WPSL 1590 AM or on your computer at www.wpsltv.com.

Greenways, 'Vision' for Grand Bahama and Educational Tourism

You never know what you are going to learn whether listening to the show or hosting the show! Curious about the East Coast Greenway project, we were thrilled that East Coast Greenway Alliance Executive Director Dennis Markatos-Soriano was able to appear as a guest, and did we learn a lot!

Stretching nearly 3,000 miles from the Canadian border to Key West, Florida, the East Coast Greenway has been in development for nearly 20 years and is still going strong. Interestingly, but not surprisingly, Florida will contain the longest stretch when the project is fully completed. 

Proponents of the project have validated the Greenway’s economic contributions to tourism and have witnessed its popularity in the areas where the Greenway has been completed. Treasure Coast community and political leaders have been very supportive in assuring that this “urban Appalachian Trail” is a part of the Treasure Coast community’s fabric.

After "trail" talk, discussion moved on over to the Islands of The Bahamas. Understandably, airlift to an island destination is critical to its tourism product. An island does not live by the cruise industry alone! Call in guest, Bill Maloney, the director of business development for Vision Airlines, had a treasure chest of information about Vision Airline's new scheduled service to Freeport, Grand Bahama. 

It has been some time since such airlift was available to Grand Bahama from key U.S. market hubs. Vision Airline's introductory rates are fantastic and Bill promised that the carrier would provide the best rates and packages available. Such an effort could not have been accomplished without the support and assistance of the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism. This is terrific news for Grand Bahamians and those wishing to visit this Treasure Coast island neighbor.

Moving on to St. Lucie County, the County's “discovery” of education tourism became the focus. If you missed the discussion, be sure to listen to Talkin' Tourism's Greenways, 'Vision' for Grand Bahama and Educational Tourism show, and find out what it takes to “cash in” on this niche tourism market.

Thanks for tuning in. Join us again on Friday for another fun and informative show—this one live from the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show!

Greenways, Educational Tourism, and Vision for Grand Bahama

Thanks to a head's up from the Martin County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Talkin’ Tourism learned leaders of the East Coast Greenway Alliance were planning to meet in Stuart this coming weekend on Saturday October 22. Not wanting to miss a great opportunity to inform our listeners about this project and its significant importance, we immediately invited an alliance spokesperson to appear on our show. With a quick call to East Coast Greenway Alliance member and friend of Martin County, Herb Hiller, the dots were connected and we are pleased to announce that Dennis Markatos-Soriano, East Coast Greenway Alliance executive director, will be our in-studio special guest this week. For those of you who might not know, the East Coast Greenway is the longest planned off-road, paved American trail that will connect 14 states between Calais, Maine and Key West, Florida. The Treasure Coast certainly does have a role in this unique project. More than 30 miles of the finished trail now partially link the Treasure Coast south from Sebastian Inlet of Jupiter. This will be a very informative conversation and most importantly, we'll explore how this may impact Treasure Coast tourism.

We have discussed the many facets of tourism on the show and one that has surfaced occasionally is educational tourism. Recently, tourism leaders in St. Lucie County have awakened to this potential source of visitors and their impact. We’ll discuss what St. Lucie County has discovered that perhaps has more impact than what most people may think.

The economy has certainly affected tourism numbers around the globe. The Islands of the Bahamas, a destination where tourism is the number industry, has been really feeling the impact of a slowed global economy in a large way. A new "player" is about to change that for our Treasure Coast neighbor, Grand Bahama Island. During the second half of the show, guest Bill Maloney, Director of Business Development for Vision Airlines will be calling in to share with us what Vision Airlines has in store regarding airlift service to Grand Bahama Island from a number of U.S. hubs and how they plan to make a huge difference in improving tourism numbers on Grand Bahama.

Join us again this week for another informative and fun show as Gary and Robin once again are Talkin’ Tourism!

Back to Grand Bahama for some Mango Man, Flamingo Bay, Red Beard's and Nature Tourism

The trip to Grand Bahama Island several weeks ago with the Bahama Tourist Office’s Summer Boating Fling to Port Lucaya was just enough to tempt Talkin’ Tourism to go back and find out more cool stuff about the closest island to the Treasure Coast and the “Gateway to the Northern Bahamas." With Robin still attending weddings and getting into “nuptial tourism," Radio Man will have the pleasure of sharing hosting duties with none other than Bimini Mango Man. 

Mango Man is no stranger to the Treasure Coast and is one of the most popular “one man band” acts in The Bahamas. While residing on Grand Bahama, Mango can be found engaging audiences on many of the Family Islands. Mango will probably cover Grand Bahama “wildlife” from an entertainers point of view. That should be interesting! Other guests planned include Mario Bodner, project director of Taino Beach Resort and Clubs and Flamingo Bay Hotel. Rumor has it that Flamingo Bay Hotel is a favorite “haunt” of the Coastal Angler Magazine-Flahama Team. We’ll look forward to what special deals Mario has for the boating enthusiast! 

What about great places to eat and drink on Grand Bahama? We have the expert for you. Brian Botham, proprietor of Red Beard’s Pub, an award winning and Trip Advisor recommended establishment, will tell you all about his great place and, as a restaurateur, recommend some of Grand Bahamas best eateries just for you. 

For the nature enthusiast, Grand Bahama Ministry of Tourism representative Andre Cartwright will tell our listeners all about great outdoors and nature adventures you can partake in while visiting Grand Bahama Island. From ancient caves and birding, to snorkeling in marine preserves, getting outdoors and up close and personal with the flora, fauna and fishes is a big part of the fun. 

So fans, join us this week from our beachside studio on Grand Bahama Island and get another dose of Island Times with Talkin’ Tourism. The fun begins Friday, July 1, at 10 a.m. on WPSL 1590 AM or from your computer at www.wpsl.com.

Summer Means "Bahamas Boating Fling" Time!

Early morning departure out the St. Lucie Inlet headed
east to Grand Bahama.

Talkin’ Tourism kicked off the summer boating season in style with last week’s broadcast from Port Lucaya, perched on the balcony overlooking Port Lucaya Marina. After a smooth crossing of the Stream we were ready to go. The show brought back great memories of the first broadcast done by Greg Wyatt and WPSL 1590 AM at Port Lucaya Marina from 1996 when the Flahama relationship began.

With Anthony "Tony Macaroni" Hanna as our special guest host, it was a lively and fun show demonstrating his own special humor and insights. Karen Pinder and Thomas Lockhart shared all the details about both Port Lucaya Marina and Grand Bahama Yacht Club. No vessel is too big or too small to take advantage of these great marinas and their amenities. 

Karen Pinder and Thomas Lockhart share with host
Gary Guertin all the details on Port Lucaya and
Grand Bahama Yacht Club.

Want details about the Ministry of Tourism’s Boating Fling Programme? Richard Treco, Bahamas Tourist Office vertical markets manager and leader of this trip, gave us an in depth look at this popular boating option. 

Moving along to other matters, Grand Bahama Tourism Office representative Donna Mackey gave us a rundown of activities and events happening this summer on the island. Lots of fun to be had by all for sure.

Shamine Johnson, manager of the Marina Operators of the Bahamas (MOB), shared with our listeners what the organization has accomplished over the last several months and what goals this private sector group is striving for over the coming months. The power of collaboration is certainly evident here!

Boats pulling into Port Lucaya Friday morning for a
Bahamian fun-filled weekend.

As always, Talkin’ Tourism seeks “Flahama connections” and we were not disappointed. Tony Macaroni, the proprietor of Tony Macaroni's Conch Experience located on Taino Beach, and Donna Mackey both shared how they are connected to the Treasure Coast. The answers will surprise you!

By the way, where did Conch Fritters originate, the Bahamas? Surprisingly, these tasty treats originated from outside of the Bahamas…but where? If you enjoy the Bahamas and especially Grand Bahama Island, you will want to listen to this show. From West End to East End, Grand Bahama and in particular Port Lucaya is a destination where you will want to spend some time this summer.

Gary Guertin, Karen Pinder, Shamine Johnson,
Donna Mackey, Anthony "Tony Macaroni" Hanna,
Richard Treco and Thomas Lockhart post-show
along the harbour of Port Lucaya.

If you missed the live version of the show, here's the audio link. We hope that you enjoy the show as much as we enjoyed producing it for all of our Talkin’ Tourism friends and fans. Check out the photos and make plans to spend a little time in Port Lucaya. You won’t be disappointed!


Show Photos (Video to come)

This Week: Bahamas Boating Flings and Grand Bahama, baby!

It’s summer time and  the boating season we all have been waiting for is finally here!  Talkin’ Tourism is getting in on the action and heading over to Grand Bahama Island on one of the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism Boating Flings to bring you this week’s show from Port Lucaya Marina, Grand Bahama.  

The boating flings are organized by the Ft. Lauderdale, Florida  Bahamas Tourism Office to promote boating to the Islands of the Bahamas. The primary purpose of these summer flotillas is to familiarize boaters who have never made the Gulf Stream crossing.  Only 68 nautical miles away from the Treasure Coast, Grand Bahama Island is our nearest island neighbor and this beautiful island is no stranger to Talkin’ Tourism!  Since the inception of the show in 2009, Talkin’ Tourism has broadcast three shows from Grand Bahama. Here comes number four!

Since show co-host Robin Hicks-Connors (aka History Lady) is heading to a wedding this weekend, Gary Guertin (aka Radio Man) has found a wonderful co-host, Cacique Award winner Tony “Macaroni” Hanna, who will be mixing up the show with his great sense of humor, perfect common sense and total commitment to hospitality and tourism.  And, with probably no prompting, he'll be certain to share with our listeners why his roasted conch is one of Radio Man’s favorites.

Here's the guest line-up: 

• Betty Bethel, representative of the Grand Bahama Island Ministry of Tourism Office who will fill us in on upcoming GBI summer events and activities
• Shamine Johnson, manager of the Marina Operators of the Bahamas organization
• Richard Treco, manager of vertical markets-boating and diving with the Ft. Lauderdale Bahamas Tourist Office, and 
• Karen Pinder, manager of Port Lucaya Marina.  

There may be other surprise guests as well, so tune in!

As always, we will explore Treasure Coast/Bahamas connections otherwise known as the “Flahama Connection." You may want to be sipping a Bahama Mama, Goombay Smash or a Gully Wash while listening to this show!  

The fun begins Friday morning at 10:05 a.m. on your radio dial at WPSL 1590 AM or on your computer at www.wpsl.comhttp://www.wpsl.com from Port Lucaya Marina, Grand Bahama Island. Yea, Mon!

Tournaments are BIG Business & Off to Grand Bahama Island

If you listened to Friday’s show, you will now know that fishing tournaments are really an excuse for a party! Well, not exactly. The fishing is certainly important but the 'catching' is what it is all about if you want to score some great prizes. The fun atmosphere and camaraderie that surrounds all fishing tournaments, whether a small local evet or major championship tournaments, such as the SKA (Southern Kingfish Association) or the BBC (Bahamas Billfish Championship), are very important components of the action.

Fishing tournaments play a big role in tourism promotion in many destination areas. The Francis Langford Memorial Fishing Tournament and the TCBA (Treasure Coast Builders Association) Memorial Weekend Fishing Tournament are no exception. Jim Moore, representing the Francis Langford Memorial Tournament, and George Cooper, representing the TCBA Memorial Weekend Tournament, enthusiastically gave listeners the scoop on their respective events and how they impact tourism on Florida’s Treasure Coast.

Needing a Bahamas fix after co-host Robin Hicks-Connors' recent excursion to San Salvador, Talkin' Tourism host Gary Guertin (aka Radio Man) took listeners on a Grand Bahama virtual vacation, just in time for the summer boating season. Gary covered the island from West End to McClean’s Town and everywhere in between. How to get there, where to stay, what to do, and more. Looking for the best conch salad or conch pizza, where to find bats in a cave, snorkeling hot spots near West End, world class diving with sharks, breakfast on the waterfront, great shopping and family fun? Grand Bahama, the closest island to the Treasure Coast, has it all. Go ahead, listen to last Friday’s show and enjoy a Grand Bahama virtual vacation and then head to the island!

Next up—chipped tooth, bad sunburn? No need to have these situations spoil your vacation. Robin provided the solution to these vacation downers.

Last, listeners learned what Grand Bahama notable recently inducted into the Women Divers Hall of Fame. Is she really the “Shark Whisperer”?

It was another fun and lively show. If you missed the fun, listen to it or download it HERE.

See you on Friday, a show that'll focus on National Travel and Tourism Week and more!

Enjoy your own virtual Grand Bahama Island vacation below!

Old Bahama Bay and Sustainable Tourism

According to Wikipedia, Sustainable Tourism is an industry committed to making a low impact on the environment and local culture, while helping to generate future employment for local people. The aim of sustainable tourism is to ensure that development brings a positive experience for the local people, tourism companies and the tourists themselves. This week’s show, hosted by the luxury boutique and marina of Old Bahama Bay and the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, was a prime example of sustainable tourism and how the Blue Flag Programme plays a role to ensure the sustainability of Bahamian ocean and coastal environments and how participating destinations are making a positive impact on local communities.

Sustainable Tourism General Manager Earlston McPhee explained the essential elements of the program, citing Old Bahama Bay’s commitment to the environment by being the first marina in the Bahamas to achieve the certification. Most importantly, Old Bahama Bay has retained its certification every year since being first certified.

Old Bahama Bay General Manager Jackie Carroll gave listeners all of the key points that make Old Bahama Bay a boaters paradise. Are you looking for a great get-away that is not “too far away?" Then check out the great packages Jackie described for the upcoming Christmas and New Year’s holidays. And after the holidays, consider an air-inclusive Grand Bahama Island package. You can find details here. And, here is a Talkin’ Tourism “Insiders’ Tip," the food is wonderful and the guest rooms are absolutely fabulous!
Special guest co-host Harold Rolle, a lifelong West Ender, shared interesting personal perspectives on Old Bahama Bay’s commitment to sustainable and responsible tourism and its positive impact on the residents of West End, Grand Bahama. Very proud of the fact that West End is called the “Home of Hospitality," Harold explained his passion for the tourism industry and the benefits to the island and the country.

And, last but not least, Raul Miranda, the tournament coordinator of the Bahamas Wahoo Championship, gave a brief rundown on the first leg of the championship, which was occuring at the time of our radio show.

Special thanks to the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, the Grand Bahama Tourism Office, Discovery Cruise Line, Old Bahama Bay and M&K Car Rentals for being special sponsors of the show. Also, special thanks to Old Bahama Bay Operations Manager Nathan Moody for ensuring all the technology was in place (and working) to accommodate the live remote!

If you missed the show, you can download the audio file HERE. And to see photos from the show, from around Grand Bahama, and aboard the Discovery Sun, check out the slide show below.

Last, a link to an actual video of the show, will be posted in a day or two for your viewing and listening pleasure, so be sure to check back soon!

Grand Bahama Fun and a Crazy White Man

Last week, was a wacky week for Radio Man. Changes in the itinerary for the trip to Grand Bahama made scheduling the location and guests for the show a little challenging to say the least. While we knew that Crazy White Man from COOL 96 FM, Freeport was to be the special guest co-host, guest lineups and location were a mystery until the 11th hour. After a few calls, some great friends of Talkin Tourism on Florida’s Treasure Coast (and Beyond) and Coastal Angler Magazine came to the rescue. Linda Osborne, general manager of UNEXSO, offered her office for the studio. The guest line-up could not have been better. Betty Bethel, the general manager of new business for the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism office on Grand Bahama, Shamine Johnson, manager of the Marina Operators of the Bahamas organization, Althea Johnson, reservations manager for UNEXSO and Mario Bodner, project manager for Taino Beach Resort and Clubs all agreed to be guests. Radio Man could not have asked for a more stellar group to talk about what’s happening on Grand Bahama Island.

During the show, we covered diving opportunities, the great deals offered by local accommodations, Talkin' Tourism host Gary Guertin did a personal review of the Bahamas Celebration cruise ship, which now departing from the Port of Palm Beach, and more Treasure Coast connections were unveiled. A couple of things the show didn't have the time to cover were Lucaya, Taino and Pauchi, the celebratory parrots at Garden of the Groves. More to come on these green and gray feathered VIPs during our next show.

Last, and most important, by listening to this show, you will get a small dose of the great sense of humor and “perspective” of the most popular on-air radio personality in all of the Bahamas, Crazy White Man, Paul Frances.

You will definitely want a tall Bahama Mama to sip while listening to the show, and don’t forget to check out the show photos below!

This week, LIVE from Grand Bahama!

Paul Frances, aka Crazy White Man,
Tony 'Macaroni' and Talkin' Tourism host Gary Guertin.

Listeners have come to expect the unexpected each week on Talkin' Tourism on Florida’s Treasure Coast (and Beyond), so why should this week be any different? When a change of transportation plans occured, due to the dry docking of the cruise ship Discovery for annual maintenance, turning Talkin' Tourism host Gary Guertin's scheduled mid-week trip to Grand Bahama Island “upside down," alternative plans had to be made. Those plans became an opportunity to experience the Bahamas Celebration cruise ship now departing for Grand Bahama from the Port of Palm Beach! Because the ship sails every other day, this meant that Radio Man (aka Gary) would not be back to Stuart in time for the Friday morning show. Thus, the hunt for a broadcast location was on and as of this posting, Pirate Radio WILL be broadcasting from an unknown location somewhere on Grand Bahama.

While the guest line up is still in the works, one item is a certainty, Radio Man will be joined by a new special co-host. On past remotes, such notables as Malcolm Boyes (part-time resident of the British Virgin Islands), Ben Martin of Coastal Angler Magazine (remote from Green Turtle Cay), and the Treasure Coast’s own Ed Griffith, who thus far has joined Gary on the show from Marsh Harbour and Eleuthera, as well as many Treasure Coast remotes.

Well, this week, you will meet Paul “Crazy White Man” Frances. CWM, as he is known, is an on-air radio personality with COOL 96 FM in Freeport, Grand Bahama. A long time resident of Grand Bahama, and a man with quite a history, personal assistant to Count Basie among other notable achievements, will join Radio Man this week. This is one show that you do not want to miss, as Paul is not called Crazy White Man for nothing!

Gary will also talk about Lucaya, Taino and Pauchie. Who the heck are they? Two of them are green and one is grey. And no, they aren't martians, nor are they ghosts. Guess you'll just have to listen in tomorrow to solve that mystery.

Was there a Treasure Coast “connection” on this trip? Absolutely! While walking the docks at Port Lucaya Marina on Wednesday night, Gary bumped into several FLAHAMIANS from Stuart and Palm City who were on their way back to Stuart after having a blast on Green Turtle Cay. Who were they? Again, listen in tomorrow to learn that and more.

Since this week's show is from the islands, topics are sure to include diving opportunities, great hotel deals, what’s new with the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, a personal review of the Bahamas Celebration, and of course, items of note from our own Treasure Coast.

So, join tomorrow at 10 a.m on WPSL 1590 AM or via your computer at http://www.wpsl.com/ as we bring you another fun filled edition of Talkin Tourism on Florida’s Treasure Coast (and Beyond).

Come to the islands mon, at least for an hour!

Customs & Immigration coming to Stuart?

MIATC's John Hennessey and Galaxy Aviation's David Smith
with Talkin' Tourism's Robin Hicks-Connors.

Could it really happen?  

Something that the boating industry in the Stuart area has been talking about for years? A concept that is so straight-forward and simple, it just plain makes sense and the bonus it could be a boost to marine tourism in our Martin County area?

Yes, listeners, this week’s show guests, David Smith, general manager of Galaxy Aviation-Stuart, and Marine Industries Association of the Treasure Coast Board of Directors member John Hennessey, discussed the plans to propose to the Martin County Board of County Commissioners the development of a fee-based U.S. Customs and Immigration Office to be located at Witham Field in Stuart.  

This is not a new idea. Boaters in this area (as well as the many Stuart, Florida based private aircraft who frequent the Islands of the Bahamas) have lamented for decades over the requirement to clear back into the U.S.A. at either Ft. Pierce or Palm Beach, not Stuart.  While to those who aren't boaters or aviators who travel back and forth to the Bahamas, this might not appear as a major inconvenience, but this “missing link” could just result in increased tourism for our area.  One important aspect is the fact that Stuart lies at the eastern end of the Cross Florida Canal/Okeechobee Waterway, a main thoroughfare between Florida’s West Coast and East Coast.  With the St. Lucie Inlet being the inlet of choice for thousands of vessels each year heading for and returning from the Bahamas, the ability to clear back into the U.S. here in Stuart just makes sense.  To get all the info on this proposal, click and listen to this week’s audio file.

With Radio Man having spent a couple of days on Grand Bahama last week, you'll also find out what famous, award-winning Bahamian “personality” grew up in Ft. Pierce, and much more on this week’s show.  

See you next week from Cape Eleuthera Resort and Yacht Club with another live remote from the Islands of the Bahamas.

Best of mARTin and Travel World News in Martin County, Florida

Larry Waterman, show guest Joan Gonzales,
and Joan's son Dan Gonzales

The Martin County Arts Council is getting pretty creative with grant funds to help provide local attraction packages to guests of area hotels.  Nancy Turrell, executive director of the Martin County Arts Council, made another appearance on Talkin Tourism on Florida’s Treasure Coast to let fans and listeners know about the Best of mARTin Discount offer. Local participating hotels are providing their hotel guests with FREE admission tickets to several area attractions as an added value for their guests. This is also helping drive attendance to some of Martin County’s most popular museums.  If you missed the live show and want to know what museums are participating and how the packages are being publicized, it's all contained on this week's Talkin'  Tourism audio-cast.

Also up this week, Talkin' Tourism had a very, very special guest, veteran travel writer Joan Gonzales.  Ms. Gonzales shared some of her insights as a travel writer, who now writes for internationally known Travel World News.  This online publication, geared to travel planners and travel agents, is considered the bible for the latest and hottest travel information.  Joan's primary focus is Latin America, so why was she on the Treasure Coast?  Our own Martin County Convention & Visitors Bureau executive director Rozeta Mahboubi, connected with Joan at a recent travel industry trade show. Rozeta invited Joan to visit the area, in hopes of her  writing a piece on Martin County.  Accompanying Ms. Gonzales was her son Dan and friend Larry Waterman.  Dan, a former Miami-Dade firefighter moved to the Treasure Coast a few years ago.  An avid sportsman, Dan calls this area an “Outdoorsman’s Paradise” and for good reason.

So, radio Man WAS in the Bahamas after all!  Were there more Treasure Coast connections involved?  Who spied radio man in Pisces Restaurant in Port Lucaya?  Who did Radio Man run into that he had not seen in 15 years?  Is the cruise ship Discovery a good way to get to Grand Bahama for a couple of days?  All this and more on this week's Talkin' Tourism on Florida’s Treasure Coast. If you missed the show's radio or Internet broadcast, download the  audio-cast here.

See you next week, when we bring you a very special show from the grand opening of  the Bimini Big Game Club, which has reopened as a Guy Harvey Outpost Resort and Marina. Get your cow bells and Bahama Mamas ready!

Thanks for listening and keep those guest and show topic suggestions coming to us at talkintourism@gmail.com.

In search of the Barefoot Bandit? Nope, just another diplomatic mission.

Photo credit:  www.FloridaSnapshot.com

For the first time in history, Talkin' Tourism on Florida’s Treasure Coast did not post a pre-show promo!  Sorry fans and listeners—life and a diplomatic mission got in the way of the standard routine.

It appears Radio Man and PR Queen were seen aboard the Discovery Cruise Ship making a crossing of the Gulf Stream on the way to Grand Bahama. Additional sightings were reported at the Grand Bahama Ministry of Tourism, M&K Car Rentals, Cost Right, Old Bahama Bay and the Grand Bahama Yacht Club. Sightings of the duo were also reported by two Stuart boat captains who ran into them at Pisces Restaurant, located in the Port Lucaya Marketplace, savoring a conch pizza. 

Were they trying to help track down the Barefoot Bandit?  No, that rascal had just been caught by the Royal Bahamas Police Force. Were they negotiating a new FLAHAMA relationship with the Garden of the Groves?  Who knows!?  The only confirmed fact is Radio Man and PR Queen (aka the Ambassadors to FLAHAMA) were on a diplomatic mission to continue to promote tourism between our fantastic destinations!

More details to come!

Scenic Highways, World-Class Festivals & Florida's 'Out-Islands'

The Martin Grade by Thomas Winter

The days of when there was nothing to do during the summer on the Treasure Coast are long gone. New events and activities along with old standards, such as Stuart’s Dancing in the Streets, keep residents and visitors alike busy. So what’s new? How about a world-class barbeque festival? Yum! The Hobe Sound Chamber of Commerce is doing just that on July 10, 2010 when it presents the Hobe Sound BBQ Festival 2010. This isn't just a plain, ordinary festival, it's a Florida Bar-B-Que Association sanctioned event, meaning the best of the best will be competing for $10,000 in prizes. What does that mean to you? It means that you get a chance to taste some of the best barbeque this side of the Tex-Mex border!

The Hobe Sound Chamber's executive director, Jennifer Ferrari ,will be in the house on Friday to give you all the details.

Most anyone who has traveled across the United States or abroad is familiar with special spots along the way offering scenic overlooks (such as in the mountains), scenic trails (for hikers),  or scenic highways. Martin County, Florida is in the process of applying for a scenic highway designation for a portion of highway located in western Martin County, which is known to locals as the Martin Grade. Mary Dawson,  chairman of the Sustaining Community Lands group, will be in the Elliott Museum-Talkin' Tourism studio this week providing listeners with an update on the group's efforts to bring scenic highway designation to this beautiful stretch of highway. Radio Man has been keeping up with the process and is amazed as to how complicated it is to get something seemingly a no-brainer accomplished.

Martin Grade is a 12 mile long stretch of tree-lined road featuring sable palms, pines and oaks that are over 100 years old. Just how many official Scenic Highways are there in Florida? Are there any others in South Florida? These questions and more will be answered on Friday's (July 2) show.

Rumor has it that Radio Man was sited on Grand Bahama Island this week. Included in the locations he was seen were Blue Marlin Cove, Old Bahama Bay, the West End Police Station (huh?) and Port Lucaya. What is Radio Man up to now? Scouting for another radio show location? Searching for the best Bahama Mama recipe?

Tune in again this Friday, July 2, at 10 a.m. for more fun and infotainment LIVE on WPSL 1590 AM, the Talk of the Treasure Coast, or on your computer at http://www.wpsl.com/.

June 26 Show: LIVE from Grand Bahama Island!

Robin’s first crossing…Gary’s reunion with Grand Bahama!

Talkin' Tourism host Gary Guertin and co-host Robin Hicks-Connors broadcast this week from beautiful Grand Bahama Island.

Hear why islanders think of water connecting, not dividing.

Being closer to the Treasure Coast (68 miles east) than Orlando (120 miles) you will be amazed at all there is to do. Not only are the Islands of the Bahamas accessible by boat, commercial air or private air charter is readily available. It is also rumored that in the near future there will be a Fast Cat Ferry Service departing daily from Palm Beach!

What history and connections already exist between Grand Bahama and the Treasure Coast? Was there really an Islands of the Bahamas/Treasure Coast Golf Challenge Tournament played on the Treasure Coast 10 years ago?

Special guests will be representatives from Pelican Bay Hotel at Lucaya, boating fling participants and representatives of the Grand Bahama Tourist Board and Ministry of Tourism.

We're going batty (what else is new?). What natural cave formation on Grand Bahama is one of the longest underwater cave systems in the world, is home to bats AND fish, and accessible by both land and sea?

Discover more by listening to this week's show this Friday, June 26 on WPSL 1590 AM at 10 a.m.!

Friday morning will find Talkin' Tourism on Florida's Treasure Coast host Gary Guertin and co-host Robin Hicks-Connors talking will guest Bernie Malone, Board Member and Past Chairman of the Martin County Tourist Development Council and currently the manager of the Stuart Main Street Program. Mr. Malone will update listeners on the history of the Stuart Main Street Program and its contributions to the redevelopment of the City of Stuart into the great small town it is today. Bernie will also let us in on all of the excitement and partying that will be associated with the upcoming Fourth of July Celebration.

Nicole Wellington, Sales Manager of the Hampton Inn and Suites-North Stuart will also appear on the show. Nicole is a board member of the Martin County Convention and Visitors Bureau representing area hotels. She will provide us an update on hotel activity in this downturn and share what her property and others are doing to turn the tide.

Tune in and find out more about Gary and Robin taking to the high seas for Talkin' Tourism's next remote broadcast from Grand Bahama Island on June 26th!!! Got a boat? Come with us!!

Stuart Single Fin Showdown and St. Lucie Tourism Feb 20 Show Recap

Listeners of the Feb 20 Talkin' Tourism radio show, now know how surfing brought the show's host, Gary Guertin, to Stuart. The United Way of Martin County's first ever surfing contest--Stuart Single Fin Showdown--slated March 14 and 15 at Stuart Beach, is expected to attract several hundred surfing fans to the area.

Justin Beard, communications director of the United Way, host Gary Guertin and co-host Robin Hicks-Connors touch on the fact that the sport of surfing does have an impact on tourism.

For those listeners who might want to participate in the contest but don't have a board--no problem! Authentic 70s singlefin will be provided to all surfers who enter the competition, and to make it more challenging, those who advance into later rounds will have to ride a different singlefin during each heat. For more information on the surfing contest, click HERE.

Justin promises this is going to be a fun contest where surfers who normally rip on their modern tri-fin shortboard will have to adjust to surfing with a totally different style. Show host Gary Guertin has signed up to be a judge for the inaugural contest.

The second half of the show explores St. Lucie county tourism programs and funding. Charlotte Lombard, Tourism Development Manager for St. Lucie County, who by the way is an avid surfer, profiles where the county's 5% bed tax goes: first 3-cents goes to the Tradition Station operations; the second 1-cent goes to marketing; and the third 1-cent is divided 33.5% to tourism related capital projects, with the remaining 66.5% going to Tradition Stadium bonds.

George Byfield the CEO/Creative Director of Comet Creative, Inc., the advertising agency of record for St. Lucie County tourism programs, talks about his vision to create a "new" destination package to sell that brings tourists to both St. Lucie County and Grand Bahama. Officials have been speaking with Spirit Airlines and other air carriers to connect St. Lucie County International Airport to Grand Bahama, but no agreements are in place yet.

Expected call-in guest James Turner, Executive Vice-President of the Grand Bahama Tourism Promotion Board, wasn't able to join the group, but is expected to join a Grand Bahama delegation coming to St. Lucie County March 4 through March 7.

When the audio clip from Feb 20 show is available, it'll be posted here.