LaPlaya Resort Promotes Sea Turtle Protection

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. October 14, 2008

NAPLES, FL, September 5, 2007. LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort announces its partnership with the Conservancy of Southwest Florida to protect one of Florida's most adored reptiles through support of the Conservancy Sea Turtle Monitoring and Protection Program.

From May to October, approximately 50,000 sea turtles in Florida come ashore and deposit 70 to 180 eggs, of which only about one in 1,000 hatchlings survive to maturity. Many fall victim to pollution or artificial lighting from beachfront resorts, which attracts hatchlings to crawl away from the ocean. The Conservancy of Southwest Florida patrols beaches, marks nests, counts hatched eggs and educates the community about important conservation measures that will give sea turtle hatchlings the support they need to survive.

Named as the three-year Turtle Awareness Partner, LaPlaya has gone "totally turtle" with Turtle Tuesday wine nights, sea turtle activity coloring books for children, stuffed turtles in guestrooms and eco-adventures for guests. Welcome cards are also provided to visitors during check-in, kindly requesting that drapes are closed by 9:00 p.m. to ensure hatchlings crawl to the ocean and not the resort.

Upon arrival guests are greeted by the resort's cause-driven staff that proudly wears turtle pins. Visitors are given a welcome card with information on the Conservancy of Southwest Florida and what can be done to protect sea turtles, as well as turtle pins as a sign of support. Children receive a turtle mat and educational coloring book. After completing a one-page questionnaire on sea turtle protection in the book, the turtle-loving tots are deemed "Official Turtle Club Members" and receive turtle pins to wear in recognition of achievement.

"This program demonstrates that LaPlaya is an environmentally-sensitive organization and is setting the gold standard for sea turtle protection issues," said Rob Moher, vice president of marketing & development for the Conservancy of Southwest Florida. "Through this great partnership, LaPlaya will offer immeasurable services that will make a difference in sea turtle protection."

As visitors enter their beachview or bayfront rooms, a stuffed sea turtle sitting on the bed serves as a friendly welcome. For $15, guests can adopt the newfound companion, with a portion of the proceeds going to the Conservancy. Eco-tours at the Conservancy Nature Center are also offered to adventure-seekers through the resort concierge, with the guest's choice of kayak tours, canoeing, guided electric boat tours or play time at the Discovery Center.

Whether winding down the day or starting up the night, visitors and Naples natives may enjoy Turtle Tuesday dining events hosted at LaPlaya's signature restaurant, BALEENnaples. Now through October, diners may indulge in a variety of turtle-themed dessert specialties and contribute to the cause with 50 percent of the proceeds from select bottles of wine going to support the Conservancy Sea Turtle Monitoring Program.

The Conservancy of Southwest Florida is a non-profit conservation organization focused on protecting environmentally sensitive lands, addressing water resource and quality issues, educating the public and protecting and rehabilitating native wildlife.

LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort is the only true beachfront, boutique resort on the Gulf Coast to rival the 'elan of South Beach, offering guests a luxury experience with the simplicity of unpretentious splendor and purity of unspoiled beaches. Capturing a spot on the coveted Cond`e Nast Traveler Gold List and the Great Hotels ranking of Travel + Leisure, the stylishly simple escape also features a sweeping soft white beach with private Beach Butlers, crisp white cabanas along a cascading falls pool, exotic SpaTerre and stunning sunsets.

For more information on LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort, call (800) 237-6883 or visit www.laplayaresort.com.