Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau (VCB) has partnered with Kind Traveler’s Every Stay Gives Back program, making it the first destination in Florida to adopt this approach to sustainable tourism. The initiative is designed to convert each hotel or vacation rental stay into direct contributions for local environmental and community organizations.
This move comes as Fort Myers continues its recovery and growth, with beaches open and wildlife populations increasing. The partnership reflects a wider trend in the travel industry where more travelers are seeking destinations that invest tourism dollars back into their communities. According to Booking.com’s 2025 Travel & Sustainability Report, there is growing global interest in purpose-driven travel.
“Our tourism industry is built on natural beauty and resilience,” said Tamara Pigott, executive director of the Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau. “The Every Stay Gives Back program allows our lodging partners to showcase sustainability outcomes and offers visitors a way to support the continued improvement of our environment.”
Hotels and vacation rentals participating in the program donate a portion of each guest stay to local nonprofits through Kind Traveler’s platform. Guests have access to Positive Impact Dashboards and can use on-site QR codes to see how their contributions are used locally, as well as find volunteer opportunities.
Current partners include Tween Waters Island Resort & Spa and Sanibel Siesta on the Beach, which support the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW). Sea Gypsy Vacation Rentals contributes to Keep Lee County Beautiful Inc., an organization focused on coastal cleanups and habitat restoration.
Even small donations can have significant effects; for example, $10 can provide food for a recovering wildlife patient for nearly a month or help clean up 10 miles of local roadways.
The VCB’s participation in Every Stay Gives Back supports broader efforts toward regenerative tourism across Florida. Since its inception in 2023, the program has generated over $1.6 million globally for causes such as wildlife conservation, education, and recovery.
More information about participating organizations can be found at www.visitfortmyers.com/kind-traveler
