Florida’s Fort Myers says it has moved to “actively inviting international visitors” as it confirmed just over 70% of its hotel rooms were now available following the devastation caused by Hurricane Ian in September last year.
Speaking at the IPW conference in San Antonio, Fort Myers Islands, Beaches & Neighborhoods communications manager Miriam Dotson said 10,000 rooms were available, with the number “increasing by the day”.
The UK accounts for just 2% of visitors to the region, but Dotson said the tourist board was actively trying to increase share towards previous levels of around 20%.
Brian Ososky, Fort Myers marketing director, told a press conference the process of rebuilding was well underway, and in some cases had resulted in product improvements.
He said the region was actively targeting customers from Canada, Germany and UK, insisting tourists were “an integral part of the recovery”, and added: “In 2024 and beyond, we will back fully.”
Hurricane Ian was a category 5 storm which became the costliest in Florida history. The hurricane caused 150 deaths in the state, with Sanibel Island, Fort Myers Beach and Pine Island devastated by a 10 to 15ft storm surge.
Photo: Fort Myers – Islands, Beaches and Neighborhoods