COASTE | TAKE FIVE
Tell someone uninitiated about the value of tourism here. There are hundreds, almost a thousand businesses listed on our website, so each one of them feels like they’re a part of that tourism community. 52,000 jobs created by tourism right here in Lee County, I mean, it’s one in five people employed in tourism here, almost a three billion dollar industry. It is the economic driver, it is most people’s introduction to our community. You have a lot of bosses; how do you satisfy them all? You gotta be straight up. You gotta do what’s gonna put heads in beds. The focus is always, how do we entice more people to come to this destination? (And) it’s not just about more people, it’s about the right people who are interested in the offerings we have. It is a big job, it is hard to make everyone happy…but if you always keep the big picture in mind, then I think it’s easy to do the job. How much pressure is there to perform? The world spins faster when you’re in a big chair. Is there pressure? Well, I’m sure there is but for me it’s passion. For my team, it’s passion, we love this community, we believe in this community, we genuinely believe that what we do is good for the community. So although we’re working hard, and we certainly feel the onus is on us to be that enticement tool, we do it out of love for the community. So pressure or passion? It’s tough to separate the two. We’re just driven. I think that helps. How do you stay so smart? Listen. Be a good listener. This is not Tamara Pigott’s version of the Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel. Like I said, I believe we have thousands of partners that are equally passionate to myself and my team. You have to be a good listener and you have to really, genuinely understand your product. We’re not Naples. We’re not Fort Lauderdale. We’re not the Keys. Knowing (who we are) and staying true to the destination, I think that’s what makes us look smart. 5 Ready, set, go: Sell Southwest Florida to a stranger in a hundred words or less. I don’t know if I can do that in my head! I think what we deliver in Southwest Florida is a one-0n- one experience with nature, a chance to connect with your family and your friends in a very peaceful and relaxing setting. It’s not formal. It’s not staid. It’s not like everywhere else. It truly feels very removed. There’s something about when you drive across the causeway (to Sanibel), your shoulders drop. It feels special. It’s like: ah. There it is. I found it. And I think that’s what we really offer, that’s my selling point. 2 1 3 4
* To enjoy Ms. Pigott’s entire interview go to YourCoaste.com or click here to QwickClick video view it.
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