Outdoor Adventure, Sunsets and Sustainability: The Florida Keys Come to Canada

I don't know of any islands called Kokomo, but you can definitely treat your clients to a great trip on or around the Florida Keys.

Officials from the southern tip of Florida were in Toronto on Thursday to spread a little breakfast sunshine, talking up everything from great food to sustainable tourism and fabulous water sports.

"Our theme for the year is sustainability, and how you can come and experience the best that the Florida Keys has to offer, but rather than leave a footprint you leave a fingerprint," said Ashley Serrate, media relations manager for the Florida Keys.

Serrate said visitors can take part in everything from mangrove cleanup projects to reforestation work to helping restore natural coral reefs. There also are small steps folks can take, such as reducing their use of plastics and wearing sunscreen that doesn't damage the state's precious coral, which is a living organism.

Coral work is being done by the Coral Restoration Foundation in Key Largo and also by Mote Marine's International Center for Coral Reef Research and Restoration on Summerland Key.

Serrate said the new Grassy Flats Resort and Beach Club in Marathon has banned all single-use plastic and also uses a great deal of reclaimed wood on site. The resort hopes to be entirely solar-powered within two years. In addition, the owners of the resort also run the Keys Cable Adventure Park, which is entirely solar-powered and also produces solar power for others.

Serrate said the Bungalows Resort, an all-inclusive property in Key Largo that was damaged by fire last year, should re-open in a couple weeks. Little Palm Island, often rated one of the best resorts in the U.S., should re-open in April of next year following a major renovation in the wake of Hurricane Irma. Another new luxury property is the Isla Bella Beach Resort on Marathon.

Florida Keys tourism operates a "Key Lime Academy" that provides videos and tutorials for agents, which helps them sell a Florida Keys vacation. They also provide fam trips for agents and work with Virtuoso and other host agencies.

Serrate said the Florida Keys stretch for 201 kilometers and feature 42 bridges. Key Largo is known as the dive capital of the U.S., while Islamorada is known for its sports fishing and beautiful sunsets. Marathon is a family-friendly area of the Keys, with a turtle hospital, a dolphin research centre and other attractions. The Big Pine Key area is famous for its kayaking, nature reserves and tiny Key deer, while Key West pretty much speaks for itself as a carefree, sometimes wild destination with a super laid-back vibe and nightly sunset viewings.

"Key West is closer to Cuba than to the nearest WalMart," Serrate said.

Asked to reveal a few personal fave spots in the Keys, Serrate listed The Fish House in Key Largo, Chef Michael's restaurant in Islamorada, Bad Boy Burrito (Key West and Islamorada). She also mentioned the Key West food tours; especially their "Southernmost Food Tasting and Cultural Walking Tour," and the Key West literary tours, which highlight the Key West connections of such writers as Ernest Hemingway, Tennessee Williams, Robert Frost and Judy Blume.

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