EVOLVE Business and Professional Magazine November 2018 | Page 37

already plans underway for coast-to-coast bike events and relays. Three Brother Boards. “I believe ecotourism is great for Volusia
It’s estimated that the $42 million being invested to complete the County’s economy, because we have an amazing ecosystem right
connector will result in $120 million in annual economic benefit here in our backyard.”
to Central Florida, according to the Florida Greenways &
Trails Foundation.
Another company offering an ecotourism experience is
Airboat & Gator Charters. For the last nine years, they have taken
visitors, from as far away as Australia, on wildlife airboat tours.
Captain Joshua Mattson adds an educational component to the
Eco Education
One local company that has had guests travel from every tours. From talking about water quality to teaching people about
continent to take their popular Dolphin and Manatee eco-tour is manatees, alligators, bears, and panthers, those who take his tour
Three Brothers Boards, a business whose main focus is making gain a better understanding of our natural areas, as well as the
high quality, handcrafted paddleboards. While they ship their importance of conservation.
product around the globe, many of their customers travel to
“This is just scratching the surface, but teaching people about
Daytona Beach to make their purchase and spend time on wildlife is part of the job that makes every trip exciting and new,”
the water. he says.
Just for Fun
There is certainly lots to learn about our surroundings and
the local wildlife, but some of the options on offer are just for
fun. Daytona Beach Zipline Adventure, which re-
opened in July 2018, estimates that 12,000 people
will participate in a zipline adventure during the
first 12 months of operation, with higher numbers
in following years as the area continues to grow.
“It is very popular among the tourists,” says
Tammy Cook, administrator at the company.
“Since the World Famous Daytona Beach is
a nature-based place and activity, it is very
Three Brothers Boards
important to have other nature-based activities
“It is very important to us that
in the area to help draw people to the area for a
we use our time on the water to
week, rather than a day.”
not only educate our guests about
Volusia County is a nature-lovers paradise.
the wildlife, but also to inform Whether it’s ecotourism or just some fun in the
them of the constant struggles our sun, visitors and locals alike have plenty to
ecosystem faces and how each of us
can help,” explains Justin Murray, of
Daytona Beach Zipline Adventure
choose from.
Jacqueline Bodnar is a Volusia County-based
writer, who has a master’s degree in professional
writing, has had over 3,000 articles published
around the world, has written seven books,
completed thousands of copywriting projects, and
owns several blogs. She can be reached at:
www.JacquelineBodnar.com.
Manatee eco-tour
NOVEMBER 2018 | 37 |