PUNTA GORDA/ENGLEWOOD BEACH, Fla. (February 10, 2025) – The Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach Visitor & Convention Bureau in partnership with the Charlotte Chapter of the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association (FRLA) will once again host the Tourism Awards at their Annual Tourism Celebration on May 9th. The Tourism Awards recognize hospitality industry employees who have been instrumental in shaping the experience of those visiting our piece of paradise.
We invite all Charlotte County hospitality business owners, managers, and leaders to nominate their top employees.
“Rock star” employees for consideration should be with their current establishment for at least six months and consistently go above and beyond to provide the best service to Charlotte County visitors. Businesses eligible for the Tourism Awards should fall within one of the following categories: Restaurant, Hotel/Motel/Resort, Vacation Rental, Attraction, Shopping/Retail.
Submissions are being accepted through April 18th by filling out the form found HERE.
“It is a great honor to recognize and celebrate our hospitality partners and their great staff who work hard to inspire our visitors. Our partners consistently go above and beyond as they serve Charlotte County visitors. This has helped us achieve another outstanding year of visitation where our destination achieved a 99% satisfaction rate and 95% will return rate.”, said Sean Doherty, Tourism Director of the Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach Visitor & Convention Bureau.
The Charlotte Chapter of the FRLA will also present scholarships to Charlotte County Public School Culinary Arts students.
The Tourism Celebration is set to take place at TT’s Tiki Bar’s Harborside Garden on the evening of Friday, May 9th. Harborside Garden is located at 36 Tamiami Trail in Punta Gorda. Tickets will be available starting in March.
ABOUT PUNTA GORDA/ENGLEWOOD BEACH
Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach is Florida’s best-kept secret of a charming natural paradise located on the idyllic Southwest Gulf Coast. This coastal community surrounding the state’s second-largest harbor sits conveniently between Tampa and Naples. Outdoor enthusiasts will find a haven of vibrant experiences in the sun-soaked oasis of the Southwest Florida islands, characterized by almost year-round sunshine and sub-tropical weather. Relaxation and discovery await miles of waterways and inland exploration trails filled with unspoiled natural beauty. From beaches to boating, hiking to harbor tours, fishing to nature paths; to the sun, shelling and fossilized sharks’ teeth, Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach immerses lively locals and active adventurers in a pure island experience. Most notably known for its 830 miles of pristine unparalleled shoreline, including captivating river passages, a mangrove-edged aquatic preserve, and more than a dozen miles of natural Gulf beaches, the Charlotte Harbor Gulf Island Coast includes the areas of Boca Grande, Don Pedro Island, El Jobean, Englewood-Cape Haze, Little Gasparilla Island, Manasota Key, Knight Island, Placida, Babcock Ranch, Port Charlotte, and Punta Gorda.
To learn more about Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach, visit PureFlorida.com.
