Partner Newsletter
June 2026
Message from VFK President & CEO Kara Franker
I’m thrilled about the ways our destination is stealing the spotlight, thanks to two major productions putting The Florida Keys & Key West front and center.
Country star Kenny Chesney brought his camera crew to Key West in April to film the music video for his new song "Carry On," with Schooner Wharf Bar and artist David Wegman's Chicken Preserve as backdrops, plus footage of Chesney cruising the island by bike. The video dropped May 21.
Meanwhile, Islamorada is ready for its close-up. HGTV's new series Renovation Island: The Adventure Continues premieres Sunday, June 7 at 8 p.m., following renovation experts Bryan and Sarah Baeumler as they transform Pines & Palms Resort for new owners Nick and Raynie Reizen and Chad and Katie McKimm. The Naples families purchased the beloved family-friendly property in 2022 and quickly learned it needed far more than a facelift.
The resort, located at 80401 Old Highway in Islamorada, is having a public watch party Sunday with guests invited to arrive in advance of the 7 p.m. showtime.
The six-episode series captures every triumph and setback along the way. As Sarah Baeumler puts it, the resort is where "coastal comfort meets laid-back luxury."
Be sure to tune in to see our destination showing off its very best in both of these productions.
Below you’ll find our latest partner news.
Kara Franker, President & CEO - Visit Florida Keys
Watch the HGTV Teaser
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Blue Heaven and Moondog Cafe & Bakery have officially landed on the MICHELIN Guide’s 2026 Florida restaurant selection, marking the first Michelin-recognized restaurants in Florida keys history.
Two Keys Restaurants in MICHELIN Guide
Blue Heaven and Moondog Cafe & Bakery have officially landed on the MICHELIN Guide’s 2026 Florida restaurant selection, marking the first Michelin-recognized restaurants in Florida keys history. Both local and visitor-favorite dining spots are in Key West’s Bahama Village.
They are also the first Michelin-recommended restaurants in the Florida Keys. The announcement arrived on Thursday, May 28, as Michelin unveiled its first-ever statewide guide for Florida.
Florida Keys Shine on Backpacker’s Best Snorkeling Destinations List
We're excited that four Florida Keys snorkeling spots were named among Backpacker's 20 Best Places to Snorkel in the U.S. From coral reefs to crystal-clear waters, the Keys continue to stand out as one of the country's premier snorkeling destinations.
Tourism Trends - April 2026 Data from Tourism Economics
April's numbers tell a strong story for the Florida Keys. Despite national economic headwinds including record-low consumer sentiment and rising travel costs, our destination continues to outperform, giving partners real momentum to build on heading into the shoulder season.
Hotels Are Thriving
- Occupancy hit 86.2% — up 5.5% over last year
- Average Daily Rate rose to $419.72 (+4.4% YOY)
- RevPAR climbed to $361.89 (+10.2% YOY)
- Total hotel revenue reached $116.4M (+10.2% YOY)
Short-Term Rentals Also Strong
- Vacation rentals are pacing 11.7% ahead for May through September, $20.4M on the books versus $18.3M at the same point last year. Every month is ahead, July strongest at 20.8%.
Visitors Are Flying In
- Key West International processed 92,100 passengers in April (+7.8% YOY)
- Year-to-date throughput up +7.1% — momentum is building
- Top feeder markets: Boston, Philadelphia, Newark, Washington D.C., and Charlotte
Digital Reach Is Surging
- Website sessions topped 574,100 — up an extraordinary +119% YOY
- Users grew +123.5% YOY; page views up +57.8%
- Meta led all traffic sources at 32.8% of visits
The Bigger Picture National inflation rose to a three-year high of 3.8% in April, with gasoline up 28.4% and airfares up 20.7% YOY. Consumer sentiment fell to a record low of 47.6. While headwinds exist, the Keys continue to outperform — making the value story behind Keys Season shoulder season promotion even more important this summer and fall.
What’s New on VisitFloridaKeys.com
2026 is a big year for anniversaries in the Florida Keys. Check out our new feature: Hemingway, Buffett & the Florida Keys’ Big Anniversary Year in our Insider’s Guide.
Tourism Dates to Remember
TDC Meeting
June 25, 2026, 10 a.m.
Marathon Government Center and Zoom
Capital Funding Application Deadline
June 30, 5 p.m.
Hurricane Workshop
Our annual Hurricane Preparedness Workshop was presented on May 21. If you couldn’t watch it live, be sure to check out the valuable information shared by the National Hurricane Center, National Weather Service Key West, Monroe County Emergency Management, Monroe County and TDC Communications, plus news about our Recovery Lodging Database in the recording.
Partner Tip: Submit Your Offers for Keys Season
Join us for Keys Season: One Road. Miles of Savings. — our upcoming shoulder season promotion running August 1 through October 31. We're building out the offer portfolio now, and we want you in it.
You're welcome to submit any current offers already in effect or create something exclusive for this campaign. Either works. The goal is simply to give potential visitors a compelling reason to book.
A note on flexibility: Our recent partner survey found that shoulder season travelers are looking for reassurance around tropical weather. To help convert those fence-sitters into bookings, we're encouraging partners to include at least one of the following flexibility promises with their offer:
- Free cancellation up to 48 hours before arrival, for any reason
- Storm protection allowing guests to rebook to any available date within 12 months at no extra charge, should a tropical storm or hurricane warning be issued for Monroe County within 7 days of their arrival
These aren't requirements but our data suggests they meaningfully improve booking confidence during the August–October window.
Ready to participate? Submit your offer or reach out with any questions to partners@fla-keys.com.
