What is Florida’s Paradise Coast’s unique selling point
We are an upscale destination on the Sunshine State’s west coast. Naples is one of the crown jewels of the region and is famous for its upscale shopping districts, luxurious beachfront mansions, historic pier. and world-class golf courses.
Then there is Marco Island, the largest of Florida’s Ten Thousand Islands. It is known for its beautiful crescent-shaped resort beaches, boating culture, and relaxed island vibe.
Everglades City is a small, historic fishing town that serves as the official southern gateway to Everglades National Park. It is a major hub for airboat tours and fresh stone crab.
Which travellers are best suited to a holiday in your region?
We have something for pretty much everyone: we have arts and culture, shopping, nightlife, beautiful beachfront restaurants, and, of course, white-sand beaches.
What we like to say is we have the high life and the wildlife because we have the Everglades in our backyard. You can be out in the Everglades all day and then come to your beautiful beachfront resort and have your toes in the sand at dinnertime and watch the sunset. It’s fantastic!
Who is a typical client from the UK and how long do they stay?
Typically, they come for four or five nights. They’ve usually been to Orlando and Miami, and then they come here to “take a holiday from their holiday”.
They go to the parks, they get tired, and then they come to the Paradise Coast. Florida’s west coast is more relaxed – just like the Gulf, with no big waves. Our culture here is very easygoing and relaxed. It’s an unassumed luxury feel.
What should agents know about this part of the state to help them sell it?
Our marketing campaign is Paradise in Every Sense, and they can sell that to their clients: feel the sand in your toes and taste the beautiful food. On Fifth Avenue alone, we have 36 independently owned restaurants.
We have Gulf-to-table food and Everglades City is known as the Stone Crab Capital of the World. Stone crab is a fantastic delicacy and it’s a sustainable food source. You can take one claw, put it back in the Gulf, and it regenerates.
When should agents sell Florida’s Paradise Coast to obtain the best possible value?
The “off-season”, between May and November, is the best time to come visit us in terms of affordability. In the summer, rates are a lot more reasonable and it is much quieter. This is the time to experience Florida without the crowds.
In high season, we have a lot of visitors that come from the northern states and beyond that have homes in the area, which sees our restaurants and attractions getting busy.
There are opportunities for agents to offer something a bit different in Florida by selling the summer months.
Are there any special events that visitors could plan a visit around?
We have a lot of seafood festivals. Two top events are Marco Island Seafood and Music Festival and the Everglades Seafood Festival. We also have the Stone Crab Festival, which is in the downtown area of Naples by Tin City –that’s when they do the blessing of the boats and it’s also when stone crab season starts. Stone crab season starts in October and goes through the end of April.
What delicacies should people try for the authentic flavours of the region?
There’s a lot of Italian influence. We have many different Italian restaurants, so definitely try those.
We have grouper that’s fished in the Gulf and mahi-mahi is fresh from the Gulf as well. Visitors shouldn’t leave our region without tasting both.
What does this part of Florida offer sports fans?
We have just built the new Paradise Coast Sports Complex, a massive, state-of-the-art sports and entertainment facility located in Naples. It spans over 145 acres.
We have a soccer team, FC Naples, that’s part of the USL League One. They started last year and they did really well, making the playoffs.
And for golfers, Paradise Coast is one of the premier golf destinations in the world, with more than 90 golf courses. Golf courses are shaped by flat but tropical terrain filled with palm trees, strategic water hazards and elevated greens.
Is there anything else that you want to add?
A takeaway for agents is this: Paradise Bedach is a beautiful destination; we’re pristine and we’re safe. It’s just a very nice place to take a holiday from your holiday, with lots of things to do, other than just being at the beach.
For example, we have Broadway theatre shows and Arte Viva, which is a Hispanic festival that starts in November.
And we are a great family destination. We have the Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples, the Naples Botanical Garden and our newly renovated Naples Zoo.
