Treasure Coast Waterways a Mecca for Seasonal Boaters

Hotels, motels and condominiums are where visitors sleep, that’s a given. Where do our “valued seasonal" and visiting boats sleep? Of course the answer is marinas!

The Treasure Coast, bordering the Intracoastal Waterway on the east, Stuart serving as the east end of the Okeechobee Waterway and the Cross Florida Canal, and the St. Lucie, Fort Pierce, Sebastian and Jupiter Inlets all combine to create a boating synergy that is unsurpassed in Florida. There have been assumptions for years that marine and boating played a significant role in our tourism economy, but how much of a role? We know how many hotel, motel and condominium accommodations there are but how many slips are there? Well, a quick tally indicates there are almost as many wet slips as hotel and motel rooms! How long do seasonal boaters stay? Why did they select Stuart and the Treasure Coast for their winter homeport?

This week, Talkin' Tourism on Florida's Treasure Coast hosts Gary Guertin and Robin Hicks-Connors invite several “valued seasonal boaters” into the studio who have selected Stuart for the first time, as well as boaters who have returned time and time again, to share their thoughts about Stuart and the Treasure Coast as a boater destination.

This will be particularly interesting in light of the fact that local tourism stakeholders have just concluded a tourism summit identifying Martin County’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats.

Did community and tourism leaders identify the same strengths, weaknesses, and oportunities? Talkin' Tourism always enjoys hearing from our visiting guests to ensure we continue to meet their expectations as a regional destination.

Along with the valued seasonal boaters topic for the week, listeners who tune in will hear the latest updates from the Bahamas, Robin’s “This Week in Martin County History,” to fun activities and events coming up on the Treasure Coast.

Tune in to WPSL 1590 AM or http://www.wpsl.com/ at 10 a.m. today (Friday, 12/18/2009) and learn more about the tourism industry where our only job “is to help visitors have a great time.”

Snakes, Piranha and Hemingway show available for download

The December 4 Snakes, Piranha and Hemingway---It's just "Edutainment!" show is now available for download HERE.

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!