The beauty of this destination is shining brighter than ever. With beaches open and wildlife thriving, every stay helps support the community's continued growth.
FORT MYERS, Fla., Nov. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- With its pristine barrier islands, world-renowned shelling beaches, and vibrant coastal ecosystems, Fort Myers is redefining what it means to travel responsibly. Through a new partnership with Kind Traveler's Every Stay Gives Back™ program, visitors can now make a positive impact—helping protect wildlife, preserve beaches, and support local communities with every booking.
In a first for the Sunshine State, Visit Fort Myers has become Florida's first destination to join Kind Traveler's Every Stay Gives Back™ program, a global movement transforming ordinary vacations into opportunities for kindness, connection, and community impact.
Why This Matters: Feel-Good Travel with Real Impact
Travelers are seeking more than sunshine; they want purpose. According to Booking.com's 2025 Travel & Sustainability Report, 73% of travelers want the money they spend to go back into the local community, while 84% say sustainability influences their travel decisions.
The partnership between Visit Fort Myers and Kind Traveler reflects the growing shift toward regenerative tourism—travel that helps restore ecosystems, strengthens local resilience, and supports community well-being.
"Fort Myers is a destination defined by natural beauty and resilience," said Tamara Pigott, Executive Director of the Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau (Visit Fort Myers). "Kind Traveler's Every Stay Gives Back program lets travelers connect with that spirit—by helping our wildlife recover, keeping our beaches beautiful, and supporting a sustainable future. Through Kind Traveler's Positive Impact Dashboard, visitors can see the difference their stay makes."
How Every Stay Gives Back in Fort Myers
When travelers book a stay at participating Fort Myers hotels and vacation rentals, a portion of each stay supports local nonprofit organizations working to protect wildlife, beaches, and community well-being. Positive Impact Dashboards and QR codes are shared with guests before, during, and after their stays, showcasing measurable positive impact metrics resulting from each stay and the funds raised for charity beneficiaries. This encourages guests to get involved with local causes through stewardship-driven activities.
Participating partners include:
- Tween Waters Island Resort & Spa (Captiva) – supporting the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW), which treats more than 6,000 injured, orphaned, and sick wildlife patients annually, helping preserve Florida's native species from dolphins to pelicans.
- Sanibel Siesta on the Beach – also supporting CROW, empowering guests to help fund emergency medical care, research, and community education for wildlife protection.
- Sea Gypsy Vacation Rentals – supporting Keep Lee County Beautiful, an organization dedicated to beach and waterway cleanups, mangrove restoration, and marine debris prevention across the region.
Even the smallest contribution can leave a lasting legacy. Just $10 can nourish and care for a recovering wildlife patient for nearly a month with CROW, or help clean up 10 miles of local roads with Keep Lee County Beautiful—protecting the wildlife and landscapes that make Fort Myers extraordinary.
A Model for Coastal Regeneration
As Florida's first destination marketing organization to join Kind Traveler, Visit Fort Myers is leading a new era of travel that heals the places travelers love most
Since launching in 2023,Kind Traveler's Every Stay Gives Back™ program has raised over $1.6 million for environmental and community causes, including coral reef restoration, youth education, wildlife rescue, and disaster recovery. Each donation's impact is transparently tracked through Kind Traveler's Impact Dashboards, making giving visible and measurable.
"Fort Myers and Sanibel are shining examples of nature's resilience and community unity," said Jessica Blotter, CEO & Co-Founder of Kind Traveler. "Through the Every Stay Gives Back program, travelers can be part of that healing—helping protect wildlife, beaches, and the very spirit of this destination."
Plan a Trip That Gives Back
Travelers can plan their Fort Myers getaway and explore participating hotels and nonprofits at: https://www.kindtraveler.com/content/kind-destination-fort-myers-sanibel
IMAGERY:
PHOTO GALLERY (additional imagery available upon request)
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Visit Fort Myers:
Ray Sarracino, Communications Director, [email protected]
Kind Traveler:
Brianne Nemiroff, PR Director, [email protected]
About Kind Traveler
Kind Traveler is an internationally awarded, regenerative travel platform that turns everyday trips into opportunities for measurable community impact. Through its Every Stay Gives Back™ and Every Adventure Gives Back™ programs, a portion of each booking supports local nonprofits that advance environmental, community, and animal welfare initiatives. Since 2016, this women- and veteran-owned public benefit corporation has partnered with hotels and destinations in 25 countries, supporting 100+ vetted charities aligned with the UN Global Goals. Kind Traveler has raised over $1.6 million for local causes and was named the 2025 California Travel Association Sustainability and Stewardship Award winner. The award-winning model has also been recognized by Fast Company, Travel + Leisure, Condé Nast Traveler, Newsweek, Lufthansa Innovation Hub, and the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).
Learn more at www.KindTraveler.com.
About Visit Fort Myers
Visit Fort Myers (Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau) promotes Southwest Florida's stunning barrier islands, beaches, and coastal communities, including Fort Myers Beach, Sanibel, Captiva, and Pine Island. The organization's mission is to inspire responsible travel that celebrates the area's unique wildlife, natural ecosystems, and resilient communities. Visitors can explore diverse experiences—from kayaking through mangroves to spotting manatees and dining on sustainable seafood—all while helping preserve one of Florida's most beloved coastal regions.
For more information, visit www.VisitFortMyers.com
Media Contact
Jessica Blotter, Kind Traveler, 1 6195192437, [email protected], www.kindtraveler.com
SOURCE Kind Traveler
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