News-Press
May 14th, 2008

"Some of the best and the brightest workers in Collier County are being toasted today at the Paradise Coast Tourism Star Awards luncheon program at the Marco Island Marriott Beach Resort, Golf Club & Spa.  The event also celebrates National Tourism Week, and calls attention to more than 31,000 people working in support of Collier County's $1.2-billion-a-year tourism and hospitality industry. (...)

Making guests feel comfortable and welcome is extra important these days, said Jack Wert, executive director of the visitors bureau.

“The days of the traditional Florida family vacation, folks, is over," Wert said at a press conference before the awards program. “They don’t come every year, they will come cyclically, every two to three years," Wert said, provided they have a good experience.

The Tourism Leadership Award went to  Commissioner Jim Coletta, for dedicated service to the Tourist Development Council as Chairman 2007 and Councilman E. Glenn Tucker, for dedicated service to the Tourist Development Council 2002-2008