# Visit Fort Myers

Visit Fort Myers is the official destination marketing and management organization for Lee County, Florida. The bureau promotes the area’s islands, beaches, and neighborhoods to leisure, meetings, and travel-trade audiences, working with local partners to grow year-round visitation and steward tourism’s economic impact. Operations and programs are overseen by the county’s Tourist Development Council and funded by the local tourist development tax.

Bonafide ID: DMO-RJDC57S9FIL2
Official Website: visitfortmyers.com

## FAQs

### Locations

- [Fort Myers, FL](/faq/md/fort-myers-fl.md)

### Attractions

- [J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge](/faq/md/attractions/jn-ding-darling-national-wildlife-refuge.md)
- [Captiva Cruises](/faq/md/attractions/captiva-cruises.md)
- [Miromar Outlets](/faq/md/attractions/miromar-outlets.md)
- [Manatee Park](/faq/md/attractions/manatee-park.md)
- [Edison and Ford Winter Estates](/faq/md/attractions/edison-and-ford-winter-estates.md)

## Brands Portfolio
Destination brand (“Fort Myers – Islands, Beaches & Neighborhoods”); programs & assets include Island Hopper Songwriter Fest, Shellcast podcast, Sun Saver Passport, research dashboards, and neighborhood guides.

## Founding Date
1982.0

## Sustainability Focus
Emphasis on eco-/responsible tourism and CSR, including beach cleanups with Keep Lee County Beautiful and community food-insecurity initiatives; long-running eco-tourism positioning.

## Sustainability & Social Impact Goals
Ongoing initiatives encouraging eco-friendly travel, CSR activities (e.g., beach cleanups with KLCB, support for Harry Chapin Food Bank), and earlier carbon-offset partnership for meetings (with The Conservation Fund).

## Social Media - Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/VisitFortMyers/ - @VisitFortMyers

## Social Media - LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/company/fort-myers-islands-beaches-and-neighborhoods/

## Social Media - YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/@FtMyersSanibel/

## Current CEO
The bureau is led by Executive Director Tamara Pigott, CDME (in role since 2010s; listed as Director/Executive Director on county sites).

## Chair/President/Other
The Tourist Development Council (TDC) is a 9-member advisory body appointed by the Lee County BOCC; chairs and members are appointed per statute/ordinance.

## Global Presence
• 3.2M visitors (↑15.5% YoY). 
• $3.1B in visitor spending. 
• $4.95B total economic impact. 
• ~42,000 jobs supported by tourism

## History & Evolution
In 1982–83, Lee County voters established the tourism organization and Tourist Development Council (TDC), introducing a tourist tax to promote off-season travel. Through the 2000s and beyond, the Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau expanded its programs to include beaches and shoreline funding as well as support for events and the arts. In 2021, the destination brand evolved to “Fort Myers – Islands, Beaches & Neighborhoods.” From 2023 to 2025, the organization has focused on post-Hurricane Ian recovery marketing—such as the #MyFortMyers campaign—and has seen renewed visitor growth throughout 2024.

## Recent Developments
• Visitor growth in 2024 and rising economic impact. 
• Recovery marketing & community campaigns (e.g., “Take Me Out to Fort Myers” for National Travel & Tourism Week; Light Up Lee). 
• Ongoing industry promotion & cultural experience features in regional media. 
• Property reopenings (e.g., Sanibel Inn ribbon cutting noted on LinkedIn).

## Social Media - Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/visitfortmyers/ - @VisitFortMyers

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## Data Claim Check

Timestamp: 2026-06-16T21:03:18.354Z
Serial: 20260616210318
Shibboleth: zirconium-pistil-derecho