Safari's and Airplanes

Talkin' Tourism on Florida’s Treasure Coast took a walk on the wild side this week both on the ground and in the air with two great guests. On the ground was Joe O’Bannon, owner/operator of J&R Outfitters located in western Martin County. We have often stated that "Martin County offers a hugely diverse menu of activities," but after you listen to Friday’s show, you will know that that statement is BEYOND true.

Joe took Talkin' Tourism hosts Robin Hicks-Connors and Gary Guertin on safari describing the workings a true game reserve, how they are saving critically endangered species, providing a nature experience that could only be replicated in many instances, by traveling Sub-Sahara Africa. Listeners learned what the differences are between a game farm, a game ranch and a true game reserve. They also learned that J&R Outfitters isn't the only place to hunt in Martin County, and how many State owned hunting areas there are in Martin County.

Big news! Stuart now has a on-demand, scheduled airlift to Walker’s Cay and Marsh Harbour, Abaco. Treasure Coast Airlines owner Danny Krachun’s service is receiving huge interest from Treasure Coast residents and visitors who wish to spend time in the Bahamas. Other points discussed was the issue of filling empty seats on the run back to the Treasure Coast.

The Treasure Coast is definitely on the cutting edge of some great new tourism happenings. Stay tuned to Talkin' Tourism weekly to learn about the lastest tourism news first!

If you missed this show, you can download it here.

Hunting and Fishing on Florida's Treasure Coast and a 'New' Way to Hit the Bahamas

The Treasure Coast is verifiably diverse in its attractions, offerings and activities to visitors who chose the area as a vacation destination. Most locals and visitors are attracted to the area for our beaches, waterways, small town charm, arts/culture, and more. But there is more to the Treasure Coast than the coast. As we have discussed on prior shows, the western portions of Indian River, Martin and St. Lucie counties offer vistas, activities and experiences that differ dramatically from a beach experience.

In Florida, and many other states, hunting and fishing represent millions in tourism dollars. A few hunting and fishing factoids for you to digest:

•  Sportsmen support more jobs than Disney World (85,000 vs. 61,000)
•  There are 214,000 resident hunters in Florida
•  Florida sportsmen spend $4.8 billion annually.
•  Florida ranks number two in the nation in total economic impact from hunting and fishing. Texas is number one in the nation.

J&R Outfitters, the largest preserve east of the Mississippi River, is located in Martin County. Guest Joe O’Bannon will describe the fascinating and unique hunting opportunities to be experienced at this hunting lodge. But it is more than just hunting. The 3,000-acre preserve is home to dozens of Florida native species. Some of the topics we'll explore with Jim this week is how hunting at J&R Outfitter’s compares with hunting in Africa. Two more factoids:  Mr. O’Bannon is one of the few hunters licensed in several African countries. And, swamp buggy photo safaris are one of the adventures offered by J&R Outfitters.

Are the Bahamas getting closer? It certainly seems so to many Treasure Coast residents with the announcement this week by Treasure Coast Airlines beginning service to the Bahamas from Witham Field in Stuart and from St. Lucie County International Airport, Ft. Pierce. Guest Danny Krachun will be a guest in the studio this Friday to provide details on this much needed airlift to the Bahamas. Some of the questions Talkin' Tourism on Florida's Treasure Coast plans to explore is what destinations will be serviced and will Bahamians utilize this service to come to the Treasure Coast? Talkin' Tourism hosts Gary Guertin and Robin Hicks-Connor predict the new service will be a HUGE success.

Tune in this Friday, December 11, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. by radio (WPSL 1590 AM) or computer (http://www.wpsl.com/). 'See' you then!

Snakes, Piranha and Hemingway---It's just "Edutainment!"

Amazing, unbelievable, outrageous! These are just some of the words that come to mind when Talkin' Tourism on Florida's Treasure Coast show guest Dr. Doug Noble took us on our tour of the "Amazon Voyage: Vicious Fishes and Other Riches" exhibit, now on exhibit at the Florida Musuem of Natural History.

Can you believe a snake vertebrae fossils the size a grapefruit? How big would the snake have been? Go swimming in a lake with Piranha? Dr. Noble did and lived to tell about it.

These are just a small tease of what the December 4 Talkin' Tourism show was all about. The Florida Museum of Natural History is definitely a must see, especially for Florida resident's.

Today, museums truly specialize in “edutainment." What is “edutainment?" Co-host Robin Hicks-Connors calls it smart fun. If you listened to the show or if you download it for listening, you will be much more hip to the wonders of the Amazon River, one of our planet’s greatest resources. Gainsville, Florida has a lot more to brag about than just football!

Talkin' Tourism host Gary Guertin and co-host Robin also reported on the Finest Kind Quickie tournament, including who won and how much money they won, as well as the bite prediction for the Pirates Cove Sailfish Classic. According to Gary, the early prediction calls for some great sailfishing action.

Surprise guest Danielle Dunfee, Sales and Event Manager for Bimini Bay Resort and Marina, dropped in and gave a few highlights on what's happening on Bimini. Known primarily for sportfishing and also one of Ernest Hemingway’s favorites, Bimini will be the site of a Talkin' Tourism live remote after the first of the year. Talkin' Tourism hosts will explore and report on the diving and other fun activities found on this Bahamian island. Details to come.

Special thanks are in order to Kelly Donovan, Communications Specialist for the Florida Museum of Natural History, for arranging Dr. Noble’s visit, Ed Griffith, General Manager of the Courtyard Hutchinson Oceanside/Jensen Beach for providing Dr. Nobles accommodations, and the leadership of the Elliott Museum, Florida Oceanographic Society, Children’s Museum and the Maritime and Classic Boat Museum for arranging site visits for Dr. Noble during his stay on the Treasure Coast.

If you missed the show, you can listen to it or download it HERE.
See you next week!

Below, photo slideshow from Dr. Nobles Martin County Trip.



PHOTO:  Dr. Noble holding a snake vertebrae fossil the size a grapefruit.

Off to the Amazon this week!

This week Talkin’ Tourism on Florida’s Treasure Coast takes a walk on the WILD SIDE as we take a tour of the Amazon River, the most biologically diverse river in the world. Listeners will be introduced to amazing creatures includin notorious piranhas, enormous anacondas, beautiful stingrays, and mysterious pink dolphins.

Doug Noble, PH.D., Assistant Director of Exhibits, Public Programs and Assistant in Museum Administration at the Florida Museum of Natural History, is this week's scheduled guest (and tour guide). Dr. Noble will describe in full detail the museum’s current exhibit: “Amazon Voyage; Vicious Fishes and Other Riches.”

In addition to his Talkin’ Tourism appearance this Friday, Dr. Noble is in town to visit museum and cultural arts facilities in Martin County.

Co-host Robin Hicks-Connors (aka History Lady) wants listeners to know the Florida Museum of Natural History will be loaning artifacts—one, possibly two dugout canoes—to exhibit in the new Elliott Museum. Hopefully Dr. Noble's Martin County fieldtrip will be the beginning of a long collaborate cultural relationship between the Treasure Coast and the Florida Museum of Natural History.

The Florida Museum of Natural History, chartered in 1917 and located at the University of Florida, is Florida’s state museum of natural history, dedicated to understanding, preserving and interpreting biological diversity and cultural heritage. The museum has the largest natural history collection in the Southeast, and is one of the nation’s top ten natural history collections.

If you're headed north in the next month, don't miss “Amazon Voyage; Vicious Fishes and Other Riches.” The exhibit is on display at the Florida Museum of Natural History in Gainesville until January 17, 2010.

Also on Friday, get the latest on the sailfish tournament season. Who won the Finest Kind Quickie? How many boats are fishing the Pirates Cove Sailfish Classic? And much more this week on Talkin Tourism on Florida’s Treasure Coast. There may even be two special guests direct from the Amazon in the studio! Curious? Tune in this Friday, December 4 at 10 a.m. to find out who or what? Find us on your radio dial at WPSL 1590 AM or on your computer at http://www.wpsl.com/.