TIFF: Fort Myers looks beyond the beaches as Canada remains top int’l market

Ahead of TIFF's opening-week parties, Fort Myers welcomed guests for a taste of Southwest Florida in Toronto.

The destination hosted a VIP cocktail reception at Le Germain Hotel Toronto on Sept. 11 before guests headed to the Hollywood North Party at The Sutton Place Hotel.

Fort Myers returned as the official travel sponsor of Toronto Life and HELLO! Canada’s Hollywood North Party for a third consecutive year.

For a destination often associated with sand and seashells, the TIFF partnership offered an opportunity to emphasize its cultural side.

“What we're trying to promote is a different side of Florida – the arts, the cultural side, and not just the beautiful beaches,” Jeanette Faria, account manager for Visit Fort Myers in Canada, told PAX at the event.

The connection to film extends to Fort Myers, where the Fort Myers Film Festival will mark its 17th year in May 2027.

Faria said Canadian filmmakers will be participating in the festival, making the Hollywood North partnership a natural fit.

Canada remains No. 1 international market

Canada remains Fort Myers’ largest international market. Approximately 80,000 Canadians visited the destination between January and June, down six per cent from the same period in 2025, according to Visit Fort Myers.

The drop, as it has been well documented, comes amid geopolitical tensions between Canada and the United States. 

Fort Myers is less than a three-hour flight from Toronto, with Air Canada, WestJet and Porter serving the destination.

Seasonal service is also available from Ottawa and Montreal.

Faria said there are no new Canadian routes planned for the upcoming winter season, but Fort Myers will continue to see service from several Canadian gateways.

Beyond the beaches

Fort Myers isn't asking Canadians to forget about the beaches. It's giving them more reasons to leave them.

The Island Hopper Songwriter Fest returns for its 12th year from Sept. 18 to 27, bringing more than 60 award-winning and emerging singer-songwriters and more than 80 performances to Captiva Island, Cape Coral, downtown Fort Myers and Fort Myers Beach.

The culinary scene is also gaining attention with three Fort Myers-area restaurants included in the 2026 MICHELIN Guide Florida: Liberty in Fort Myers and The Bohemian and Canary Club in Bonita Springs. Canary Club also received a Bib Gourmand.

Nature also plays a role in the destination’s appeal. “We’re not as commercialized or overdeveloped,” Faria said.

Fort Myers has more than 100 barrier islands and 190 miles of kayaking trails, with a focus on sustainable travel, according to the destination.

New developments in Fort Myers

A familiar Fort Myers Beach landmark is making a comeback. “We just broke ground on our new Fort Myers Beach pier,” Faria said.

The new pier is expected to be completed in summer 2027, with plans calling for a structure approximately 1,000 feet long and 12 feet wide.

On Sanibel Island, known as the Seashell Capital of the World, Beachview Villas has opened with 22 Gulf-view accommodations, including 10 guest villas, 11 one-bedroom villas and a four-bedroom deluxe villa.

Fort Myers is also adding to its accommodation inventory. HomeTowne Studios by Red Roof has opened with 124 extended-stay rooms, while several more properties are in the pipeline. 

Captiva Island Inn is expected to open in late 2026, followed by Lake Shadroe Resort & Marina in Cape Coral and Hampton Inn at Bell Tower in Fort Myers in early 2027.

A Cambria hotel in Fort Myers is slated for late 2027.

Tools for travel advisors

Visit Fort Myers offers several resources for travel advisors, including a Travel Advisor Help Desk, an Area Specialist training program and information on accommodations that pay travel agent commissions.

The destination has also launched a new interactive digital visitor guide featuring maps, trip ideas and itineraries for families, multigenerational groups, snowbirds and other travellers.

Advisors can also direct clients to Visit Fort Myers’ free digital passes, which can be accessed by phone without downloading an app and offer discounts at participating restaurants and attractions.

Faria encouraged travel advisors visiting Fort Myers themselves to contact the destination, noting that some VIP benefits may be available during their stay.

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