Fort Myers has become the first destination in Florida to participate in Kind Traveler’s Every Stay Gives Back program, a move led by the Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau (VCB). The initiative aims to convert tourism into direct support for local environmental and community organizations.
According to the VCB, this partnership arrives at an important time as Lee County’s beaches have reopened, wildlife populations are recovering, and tourism is growing. The program responds to a global trend where travelers increasingly prefer destinations that reinvest tourism revenue locally. This trend was highlighted in Booking.com’s 2025 Travel & Sustainability Report.
“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.”
Through Kind Traveler’s platform, participating hotels and vacation rentals donate part of each guest stay to local nonprofits. Guests can track these contributions through Positive Impact Dashboards and on-site QR codes, which detail how funds are used and provide information about volunteer opportunities.
Current partners include Tween Waters Island Resort & Spa and Sanibel Siesta on the Beach, both supporting the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW), as well as Sea Gypsy Vacation Rentals, which supports Keep Lee County Beautiful Inc., an organization focused on coastal cleanups and habitat restoration.
Small donations can have significant effects; for example, $10 can feed a recovering wildlife patient for nearly a month or help clean up 10 miles of local roadways.
Since its launch in 2023, Every Stay Gives Back has generated over $1.6 million globally for wildlife conservation, education, and recovery efforts. The VCB hopes its participation will serve as a model for regenerative tourism across Florida.
More information about participating organizations and nonprofit beneficiaries is available at www.visitfortmyers.com/kind-traveler
