ST. PETERSBURG BEACH, Fla. -- The TradeWinds Island Grand resort
here placed a six-foot orange turtle created by artist Peter Max in
its lobby to symbolize its commitment to the endangered Loggerhead
turtle.
This commitment includes the Turtle Tracker, a new package
available through April that offers guests turtle-related
activities developed by the Clearwater (Fla.) Marine Aquarium.
The three-night package, which starts from $639, includes
accommodations; $50 in children and teen recreation activities
(such as aqua aerobics); an Explorer Value Pass, which provides use
of the beach cabanas, fitness centers, tennis courts, paddleboats
and other children's activities, and a complimentary daily
newspaper.
A T-shirt and a behind-the scenes tour of the aquarium also are
included. Package guests adopt a turtle nest -- an
aquarium-sponsored program names the recipients as foster parents.
The turtles lay their eggs on area beaches from May through
September.
Hatchlings are tracked from birth and photographs of the
process, are provided to guests by the aquarium. For additional
fees, the program offers a choice of excursions, including a weekly
turtle walk on each Saturday and Sunday through August.
The tour, which visits the actual nesting sites, costs $6;
children ages 12 and younger pay $5.
Another excursion, the three-hour marine life and shelling
cruise, is available daily for $14.75 per person, and includes a
visit to a small island. All proceeds from the cruise benefit the
sea turtle program.
The property is part of the 36-acre TradeWinds Island Resort,
which encompasses three beachfront hotels, a variety of dining
options and access to a private golf course.
Agents making three or more bookings will receive a free
two-night stay at any one of the hotels. The incentive is valid for
bookings completed before Sept. 30.
Agents can choose stay at any of the TradeWinds Island resort's
properties -- Sandpiper Hotel & Suites, TradeWinds Sirata Beach
Resort or TradeWinds Island Grand.
At the end of the program, agents will be rewarded with the
two-night stays, which are valid through Dec. 24. Agents can earn
multiple two-night stays.
In other news, TradeWinds is providing a free domestic roundtrip
companion airline certificate for guests staying one or more nights
Sunday through Thursday.
Guests redeem the certificate through Lifestyle Vacations
Incentive, Delray Beach, Fla., an affiliate of Mytravelco.com.
Travel must be completed within a year of the stay.
For details, contact Robert Price at (800) 345-6461, Ext.
2233.