TDC accepts Q1 budget reports; sports tourism hailed for high media value from Fort Myers tip-off The Lee County Tourist Development Council accepted quarter 1 budget reports and heard a sports tourism update that credited the Fort Myers tip-off with an estimated $5.1 million in media value tied to a $220,000 TDT investment. Members also reviewed seasonal room-night figures and event pipelines for 2025–26.

The Lee County Tourist Development Council just reported a staggering $5.1 million media value from the Fort Myers tip-off, showcasing the booming potential of sports tourism in the area!

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#LeeCounty #FL #SportsTourism #CitizenPortal #CommunityDevelopment #LeeCountyTourism

Lee County TDC: December bed-tax receipts surge; council hears Q4 visitation gains and discusses AI-driven marketing At its Feb. 12 meeting the Lee County Tourist Development Council heard that December bed-tax (TDT) receipts were nearly $4.3 million — up about 19% year over year — and that Q4 visitation, room nights and direct spending rose. Staff and members also discussed how AI and changing traveler behavior are reshaping marketing and website strategy.

Lee County's tourism is booming with a nearly 19% increase in bed-tax receipts, but how will AI impact future travel marketing strategies?

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#LeeCounty #FL #VisitorSpending #CitizenPortal #LeeCountyTourism #TourismRecovery #AIMarketing

VCB announces Sports Illustrated swimsuit feature for Lee County; staff report sales, international outreach and volunteer activity Lee County Visitor and Convention Bureau (VCB) told the TDC it will be featured in the 2026 Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition (South Seas hosting); staff also reported group sales progress, international trade activity, and volunteer-driven visitor services statistics for October–December.

Lee County is set to shine as one of four featured destinations in the 2026 Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition, promising an incredible boost for coastal recovery and tourism!

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#LeeCounty #FL #CommunityOutreach #SportsMarketing #VolunteerEngagement #LeeCountyTourism

Board approves agreement with sheriff for off‑duty officers at spring training and Ag Expo; commissioners ask staff to seek Tourist Development funding The county approved an agreement with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office to provide off‑duty officers for spring training and the Southwest Florida Ag Expo, with an estimated not‑to‑exceed cost of $400,000. Commissioners directed staff to explore using Tourist Development (TD) taxes for eligible portions of the expense.

Lee County's commissioners have greenlit a $400,000 agreement for off-duty officers at spring training games, but are exploring if Tourist Development taxes can help foot the bill!

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Sanford tourism director reports 40,000 visits to Lee County Athletic Park in six weeks; TDA to target sports visitors Sanford Tourism Development Authority staff reported that roughly 40,000 visits were recorded at the Lee County Athletic Park over the previous six weeks. The TDA is using location analytics and targeted marketing to convert tournament visitors into overnight stays and local spending.

Sanford's Lee County Athletic Park attracted over 40,000 visitors in just six weeks, and the Tourism Development Authority is gearing up to turn that foot traffic into lasting local economic growth.

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#LeeCounty #NC #CitizenPortal #LeeCountyTourism #SportsTourism

Lucas Pauley reports Q1 tourism growth for Lee County with major increases in visits Lee County reports 18.6% rise in overnight trips and successful community partnerships

Lee County's tourism is soaring with an 18.6% increase in overnight trips and exciting new partnerships that promise to engage the community like never before!

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#LeeCounty #IL #CitizenPortal #CommunityEngagement #TourismDevelopment #LeeCountyTourism #LocalEconomy