Lee County tourism outperforming the state

FORT MYERS, Fla.-WINK News is learning 2014 was a record breaking year for Southwest Florida tourism.

Only WINK News got our hands on new numbers that won’t be released until tomorrow and they show Lee County is outperforming the entire state when it comes to tourists coming from overseas!

“I think the cold winters are doing it,” said Gail Warnock is from Canada.

“We have had record lows in February. The temperature never went above zero,” said Warnock.

That is why Warnock says so many Canadians are flocking to Southwest Florida. Brand new numbers show Lee County is outperforming the entire state when it comes to Canadian and overseas tourism.

“We have definitely done a lot of new marketing initiatives in the Canadian market,” said Pamela Johnson with the Lee County Tourism and Convention Bureau.

Johnson tells WINK News tourism last year far exceeded their expectations. In 2014 the number of Canadian tourists grew nearly 26 percent and oversees tourists increased more than 16 percent.

“In the summer time when they come when we really need them the most,” said Johnson.

Warnock’s husband, Glen, also says nowadays it’s much easier to visit Fort Myers.

“Flight down to Fort Myers, more planes from Canada are coming to Fort Myers than maybe years ago,” he said.

With more tourists comes jobs, the Lee VCB says Lee County has seen increased employment.
Restaurants like United Cafe in downtown Fort Myers continues to hire, saying sales are up dramatically.

“If I speak about the first two months of this year for us here at United it has been phenomenal,” said owner Andy Morgan.