L.A. Times article has chamber phones ringing
By Rick Catlin
Islander Reporter
A story in the Jan. 16 issue of the Los Angeles Times on the
front page of the travel section about vacationing on Anna Maria Island
has prompted more than 200 telephone calls to the Anna Maria Island Chamber
of Commerce.
The story was done by a freelance
writer Ferne Arfin from Great Britain who, according to her story, has
a sister living on the Island and has vacationed here several times.
"It's been phenomenal," said
AMICC Executive Director Mary Ann Brockman. "I had no idea anyone
was doing a story about the Island until she called and told me it would
appear in the Jan. 16 issue of the Times. It's certainly
a very positive story."
Indeed, she said the telephone
at the Chamber office has been ringing off the hook the past week with
people looking for Anna Maria Island after reading the article.
The story was not a paid advertisement,
added Brockman, but certainly painted a wonderful picture of Island
beaches and ambiance, along with mentioning a few restaurants and businesses.
Arfin wrote about great dining
experiences at the Sandbar restaurant in Anna Maria, the Beach Bistro
in Holmes Beach, the Gulf Drive Cafe, Mr. Bones BBQ in Holmes Beach,
the Sun House in Bradenton Beach and Joe's Eats and Sweets in Bradenton
Beach.
A picture of Joe's Eats and
Sweets owner Joe Spallino appeared with the article.
The writer also mentioned Capt.
George Glaser of the Mystic Dolphin tour boat in Holmes Beach.
Other businesses to get the Arfin
seal of approval were the Harrington House Bed & Breakfast in Holmes
Beach, BridgeWalk in Bradenton Beach and the Cedar Cove Resort & Cottages
in Bradenton Beach, where Afrin said she waved to the beach Web cam for
her friends back in London.
Arfin also traced the history of
the Island and each city, along with the beauty of the Island lifestyle,
Coquina Beach and fishing at the Anna Maria City Pier.
Brockman did note that
one Island resident came in to complain that the chamber was trying to
bring visitors from California with the article. Not so, Brockman said. "We
didn't buy this and had no idea it was being done, but this type
of travel story is priceless."
Brockman said she called her son,
who lives in L.A., to get a copy of the story.
Anyone
interested in reading the story can obtain a copy
from the chamber office at 5313 Gulf Drive in Holmes Beach, or online
at www.latimes.com/travel.
Search for the Jan. 16 issue. |
