Lee County’s Visitor & Convention Bureau (VCB) has announced its participation in 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 turn hotel and vacation rental stays into direct support for local environmental and community organizations.
The program arrives at a significant time for Lee County, as the area continues to recover and grow, with beaches open and wildlife populations thriving. According to Booking.com’s 2025 Travel & Sustainability Report, there is a rising trend among travelers who prefer destinations that reinvest tourism revenue locally.
“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.”
Participating hotels and vacation rentals donate a portion of each guest stay to local nonprofits through Kind Traveler’s platform. Guests can view Positive Impact Dashboards or use on-site QR codes to see how their contributions are used, as well as find volunteer opportunities.
Some of the current partners include Tween Waters Island Resort & Spa and Sanibel Siesta on the Beach, which support the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW), while Sea Gypsy Vacation Rentals contributes to Keep Lee County Beautiful Inc., an organization focused on coastal cleanups and habitat restoration.
Even small donations can make a difference; for example, $10 can feed a recovering wildlife patient for nearly a month or help fund cleanup efforts along 10 miles of local roadways.
By joining Every Stay Gives Back, Lee County VCB aims to set an example for regenerative tourism across Florida. Since 2023, the program has raised over $1.6 million globally for causes related to wildlife conservation, education, and recovery.
More information about participating organizations can be found at www.visitfortmyers.com/kind-traveler
