If you have clients looking for a peaceful beach-break contrast to Orlando, you need look no further than the Bradenton Area, made up of Anna Maria Island (recently voted one of the best islands in the US by readers of Conde Nast Traveler), Longboat Key and Bradenton. Once your clients visit they’ll be heading back again and again, with the area boasting a whopping 94% repeat visitor rate thanks to its unique blend of small-town charm and natural beauty.
You can learn more about how to sell the Bradenton Area in our Florida Selling Guide.
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Win with the Bradenton Area
You can also get more top tips about the destination in our new In The Spotlight video, with a chance to win a £100 Fortnum & Mason luxury hamper, plus a Bradenton Area beach towel and bottle! Enter now for your chance to win!
WHAT MAKES IT GREAT?
Authentic charm: The Bradenton Area is a haven for stress-free family getaways. On Anna Maria Island – just seven miles long, one mile across and ringed by white beaches and warm turquoise waters – forget freeways and high rises, and think flip-flops, sandy lanes to some of the best beaches and sunsets in the US and “toes-in-the-sand dining”.
Your clients can relax and reconnect here, and they can even ditch the car and travel the island by foot, bike, golf cart or Segway. Or there’s a free public trolley bus serving the whole island.
While the Bradenton Area remains within easy reach of Florida’s main theme parks, your clients can return to this easy-going hideaway for a dose of authentic Florida charm, where there’s plenty to do but no pressure to do anything at all!
Accommodation: There is plenty of stylish, home-from-home accommodation, perfect for groups and families (see below for more).
Twin-centre appeal: Just two hours’ drive from Orlando (and 40 minutes from Tampa) and with attractions like Legoland on the doorstep, the Bradenton Area is the perfect complement for a parks and beach holiday.
Nature and marine life: On land or at sea visitors can enjoy wonderful activities while encountering the rich local wildlife. They can take on an “eco-tour”, enjoy a “catch and cook” expedition, parasail or jet-ski, or take to the waves in a more leisurely fashion with a guided kayak or paddleboarding session. Or why not suggest simply heading to the pristine beaches in the evening to witness breathtaking sunsets and spot dolphins.
MYTH BUSTING
Some agents may be under the impression that villa rentals on Anna Maria Island can only be booked for a minimum seven-day Saturday-to-Saturday stay, but this is only true of the Holmes Beach district. There are three parts of the island, and that policy does not extend to Bradenton Beach and Anna Maria Beach. Here, there is flexibility to book for three or four nights only, and of course you can book hotels for one night at a time.
The Bradenton Area has seen a strong recovery post-hurricane – the beaches are back to their best and the area is very much open for business again.
