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Florida Beaches Continue to Rank On Annual List

NEWS RELEASE TOPIC:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 22, 2009

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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (May 22, 2009) – Coastal expert Dr. Stephen Leatherman, a.k.a. “Dr. Beach,” announced his annual Top Ten Beaches list today. Sarasota’s Siesta Beach came in at the No. 2 spot and Cape Florida State Park in Key Biscayne was ranked No. 8. Siesta Beach continues to make its way up Dr. Beach’s list after being ranked No. 3 in 2008 and No. 10 in 2007. Cape Florida State Park is up one spot from No. 9 in 2008.

Known for its 99 percent pure quartz sand and easy-going atmosphere, Siesta Beach provides beach-goers with a variety of activities and amenities. The public beach offers tennis and volleyball courts, shaded playground and picnic area, and convenient concession stands. Gentle waves and shallow water near the shoreline, along with year-round lifeguard protection, make Siesta Beach a perfect family beach destination. Siesta Village, comprised of shops and restaurants, is just a short walk from the beach. Sunday evening sunsets at Siesta Beach are brought to life through a theatrical “Drum Circle” performance.

Home to the oldest standing structure in Miami-Dade County, a lighthouse built in 1825, Cape Florida State Park attracts visitors with over a mile of Atlantic beachfront. Sunbathing, swimming, picnicking, fishing, biking and kayaking are just a few of the activities for beach-goers to enjoy. Twice daily Thursdays through Mondays, guided tours of the lighthouse and lighthouse keeper’s cottage are given. Overnight boat camping is allowed in No Name Harbor and bicycles, beach chairs and umbrellas are available for rental. Hungry visitors can find authentic Cuban cuisine and fresh seafood at the Lighthouse Café by the beach or Boater’s Grill overlooking No Name Harbor.

Leatherman, who is the director of Florida International University’s Laboratory for Coastal Research, has made a Memorial Day Weekend tradition of unveiling his list of America’s finest strands of sand and surf since 1991.

For more information on the Sunshine State’s many diverse beaches, consumers can log onto www.VISITFLORIDA.com and read specialty blogs on Beach & Surf, Arts & Culture, Boating & Fishing, Shopping & Entertainment, Family, Authentic Florida, Dining, Golf, Luxury, Outdoors & Nature and Sports & Adventure. The site also includes videos, photos, interactive maps and a “My Trip Planner” feature that allows users to easily develop customized Florida vacation itineraries.

As the state’s number one industry, tourism is responsible for welcoming more than 80 million visitors each year, which results in over $60 billion in taxable sales revenue and employs in excess of 1 million Floridians. For every $1 spent on tourism marketing, VISIT FLORIDA – the state’s official tourism marketing corporation – generates more than $55 in tourism spending and $3 in new sales tax collections, paid by visitors, not residents. VISIT FLORIDA promotes tourism to Florida through sales, advertising, promotions, public relations, new product development and visitor services programs. As a public/private partnership VISIT FLORIDA has more than 3,100 tourism industry Partners and major strategic alliances with American Express Travel Related Services, AirTran Airways, Disney Destinations, Dollar Rent A Car, The Hertz Corporation, SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment and Universal Orlando. To learn more about VISIT FLORIDA, visit www.VISITFLORIDA.org.