Situated along Florida’s southeast coast and representative of a diverse collection of 39 cities and towns, The Palm Beaches – also known as Palm Beach County is located one hour north of Miami and two hours southeast of Orlando. As America’s First Resort Destination, The Palm Beaches have been the preferred winter getaway by discerning travelers for over 125 years. For travellers eager to plan a visit to Florida this autumn and beyond, Discover The Palm Beaches (DTPB) – the official destination marketing organization for Palm Beach County, FL - is eager to inform travellers of its tourism offerings and welcome back returning visitors with increased airlift, expanded market efforts and a plentitude of new destination developments.

Between January and June 2022 The Palm Beaches received 177,100 Canadian visitors, representing an impressive 12 percent increase over the same time period in 2019, all despite limited air service Throughout 2019, The Palm Beaches saw a total of just over 303,000 Canadian travellers. Soon travellers can expect to enjoy a more seamless arrival directly into Palm Beach International Airport (PBI). Starting October 30, Air Canada returns with seasonal, daily non-stop service into PBI from Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) and multiple departures weekly from Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL) with bookings available through mid April 2023.

Canada is the number one international source of visitor arrivals into the destination. Given the importance of the Canadian market, DTPB has expanded their international representation with the appointment of VoX International Inc. as their in-market public relations specialists. Though the agency has been handling sales representation and travel trade for DTPB for the past three years, beginning this month they will also handle media relations and consumer marketing for the destination with a focus on key markets in Central Canada.

VoX International Inc. is a global leader in destination marketing. Susan Webb, president at Vox International Inc. leads the account.

Rosalyn Hunter will direct public relations efforts on the account, working closely with Paul Larcher – Account Director on travel trade sales. Larcher has also been on the account since its inception. Hunter has been with VoX International for sixteen years, developing creative and results driven public relations and marketing campaigns for clients.

Adding to the list of exciting announcements, a sampling of new hotels, attractions and more have been included below, but a more detailed and comprehensive list can be found here:

Getting Around:

Brightline – Boca Raton & Orlando (Coming Soon)

The high-speed passenger rail service, which resumed in November 2021 between Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach will be unveiling a Boca Raton station in November 2022, with an Orlando station expected to open in 2023.

Attractions:

Margaritaville at Sea – Riviera Beach (Now Open)

Recently opened, the newly unveiled 658-cabin cruise ship is a “Margaritaville” themed floating island oasis fit to accommodate nearly 1,700 passengers. Based out of the Port of Palm Beach, the cruise offers two and three-day cruises to Grand Bahama Island. Themed to Jimmy Buffet songs and lyrics, 11 restaurants feature fun names such as “Cheeseburger in Paradise,” “The Port of Indecision” and “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere,” while the main entertainment venue, “Stars on the Water Theatre” presents a Broadway-style show written and produced by Jimmy Buffet and Frank Marshall, inspired by Buffet’s Tales from Margaritaville book. Additional experiences include the Par-a-Dice Casino, St. Somewhere Spa, Parakeets Kid’s Club, several retail venues, and The Fins Up! fitness center and jogging path.

Cox Science Center and Aquarium: Dinosaur Explorer Exhibit – West Palm Beach (Now Open)

Visitors of the Cox Science Center and Aquarium will enjoy the new Dinosaur Explorer Exhibit (Now - April 9, 2023. Guests will journey through the wildest, wackiest, and most wonderous dinosaurs and examine human physiology through the lens of these magnificent creatures. Through a series of dynamic displays that feature advanced animatronic dinosaurs, authentic casts and actual fossils, and highly interactive hands-on activities, visitors will learn the science behind dinosaur adaptations and understand the connections humans share with our prehistoric predecessors. The exhibit is included in general Cox Science Center admission, which is $19.95 for adults, $15.95 for children 3-12, and $17.95 for seniors (ages 60+). FREE for members and children under 3.

Rapids Waterpark: New Dueling Water Coaster Ride – West Palm Beach (Coming 2023) 

Rapids Waterpark, South Florida's largest water park, has announced a new ride coming in 2023 – MEGA MAYHEM, Dueling Water Coaster. The new attraction is designed and manufactured by ProSlide Technology Inc. and is its Dueling PIPELine Blast/Flying SAUCER20 model.  Mega Mayhem will be the first dueling water coaster ride in the state of Florida and is one of six installed in the world. It will stand 54 feet tall and race 837 feet long per lane.  This exhilarating one-of-a-kind racing dueling water coaster features two side-by-side flumes where riders speed down twists and high-banked turns as they are propelled uphill by a unique blast jet propulsion technology. Thrill seekers will compete to reach the finishing plunge first while experiencing drop and dive sensations along the way. Riders can see other racers speeding down the slide through open low-separator walls at a max speed of up to 22 mph/35 km. 

Hotel Happenings:

AKA West Palm – West Palm Beach (Coming Soon – Fall 2022)

A 217-room upscale hotel residence catering to long-term guests will be opening its second Florida property this fall in West Palm Beach. The newly built six-story building is conveniently located within steps from the city’s bustling downtown. It will include 6,000 square feet of ground-floor retail, an indoor/outdoor lounge and bar that is accessible from the pool and deck, a state-of-the-art fitness center, meeting spaces, a pet spa, a private residence lounge space for AKA members and breathtaking water views. The AKA brand is known for specializing in accommodations designed for longer stays with exceptional business, wellness and lifestyle amenities.

Amrit Ocean Resort & Residences – Singer Island (Early 2023)

Located on more than seven beachfront acres along Palm Beach County’s picturesque Singer Island, Amrit Ocean Resort & Residences is a new health-centric resort. It will offer first-class service along with a program combining Eastern well-being philosophies and western technology. Amrit’s team of personal wellness guides will create individualized journeys utilizing the resort’s 100,000 square feet of wellness amenities, including The Aayush Hydrothermal water therapy circuit; indoor/outdoor treatment rooms; float tank; IV, sound and light therapies; acupuncture; curated skincare featuring the super deluxe line of French products, Biologique Recherche; body therapies from around the globe; extensive hair and scalp rejuvenation program; an array of fitness classes; and arguably the most sophisticated, spa-centered Ayurvedic and yoga program in the United States.

Mandarin Oriental – Boca Raton (Early 2023)

Set to debut in Downtown Boca Raton in 2023, the 158-room hotel will be Mandarin Oriental’s second property in Florida and seventh in North America. All rooms and suites will be designed with detail that is reflective of the Group’s oriental heritage and complimented with golf course or downtown views. The hotel will feature two rooftop pools; fine dining options, including its signature rooftop MO Bar + Lounge, and a Mandarin Oriental cake shop. Inspired by ancient Asian and European traditions, The Spa at Mandarin Oriental will offer holistic rejuvenation and relaxation, as well as a state-of-the-art fitness center. Golf legend Jack Nicklaus has begun redesigning the adjacent 18-hole golf course, located at the Via Mizner Golf & City Club, which includes a range of family-friendly features. Banqueting and meeting space will include a 4,500-square-foot ballroom and a variety of adaptable conference rooms.

Banyan Cay Resort & Golf – West Palm Beach (Spring 2023)

Banyan Cay Resort & Golf will become Florida’s first ‘Destination by Hyatt’ hotel and the first full-service Hyatt-branded property in Palm Beach County. This new-build luxury resort will boast an upscale West Indies style imagined by the leading hotel designers at Adache Architects. Guests will be treated to 150 oversized rooms and suites and a robust menu of amenities. These amenities include a lush spa inspired by West Indies rituals, three on-site restaurants, two pools, and 18 holes of golf designed by Jack Nicklaus. Banyan Cay’s premier location within minutes of downtown West Palm Beach enables guests to endless options for adventure, including world-class shopping districts and exquisite restaurants.

Reservations and Expansions:

The Colony – Palm Beach (Now Open)

The historic design-forward property re-opened this fall after recently undergoing a full guest room and suite re-redesign with major design partners Kemble Interiors & Society Social. Guests will set their eyes on a new level of sophisticated Palm Beach Chic with the introduction of new decors, color schemes, fabrics and furniture. Taking inspiration from the hotel’s signature de Gournay wallpaper, rooms will reflect The Colony’s signature soft pinks, greens, and ocean blues, plus modern amenities mixed with vintage Palm Beach style. The new look includes custom furnishings by North Carolina-based Society Social, with fabrics exclusively by Schumacher. More custom de Gournay wallpaper can be found throughout the hotel.

The Boca Raton Tower – Boca Raton (Coming Soon – Fall 2022)

The Boca Raton will soon emerge from the property’s $200 million phase one transformation by renowned architect firm Rockwell Group. The Tower the fully reimagined fifth “hotel within the hotel” on property, is anticipated to open this fall with 224 spacious suites, breathtaking vistas and activities for the whole family. Guests will experience flexible configurations, from connecting suites to entire floor takeovers. New luxury amenities such as Tower’s dedicated butlers will provide a range of services from the practical to the magical. For example, young guests enjoying an in-room movie can opt for a cinema snack delivery from one of two Tower Robot Butlers, Johnnie and Ethel, named after the monkey pets of the original owner and architect Addison Mizner. Located next to Tower is the brand-new Harborside Pool Club, a lakefront oasis featuring three pools, a 450-foot floating river, multiple water slides, luxury cabanas with personalized butler service, a Pool Bar, Banyan Bunch kids club, and more. Additional experiences include the redesigned 50,000 square-foot Spa Palmera and flavors ranging from Major Food Group's (Mario Carbone) all-new Italian concept Principessa Ristorante, The Flamingo Grill and Sadelle's, to MB Supper Club, which recreates the ambiance of the 1930s and 40s when high society frequented coveted establishments to drink, dine and enjoy live entertainment.

Jupiter Beach Resort – Jupiter (Mid–2023)

The luxurious beachfront resort will be undergoing renovations to complete the remaining guest rooms, in-house restaurant, Sinclair’s, and the spa. Guestrooms will be outfitted with modern wood and metal accents to contrast the gentle blue tones. While Sinclair’s is undergoing an exciting update, guests can enjoy the same service and menu at a new pop-up version of Sinclair’s. The resort’s renovation plans also include the spa to give it a fresh look that provides a calming and relaxing atmosphere for patrons.

The Breakers – Palm Beach (Throughout 2023)

Recognized as one of America’s most iconic resorts, The Breakers Palm Beach has thrived for more than 125 years, in part, due to its devoted family ownership (heirs of founder Henry M. Flagler, circa 1896) and their commitment to ongoing revitalization throughout the property’s 140 acres. Each year, the organization invests an average of $25 million to carefully balance preservation and modernization, which includes the continuous evolution of the hotel’s grand, Italian Renaissance-inspired interiors. The Breakers partnered with Tihany Design in 2012, one of the world’s preeminent hospitality design ateliers and November 2022 commemorates the 10th anniversary of The Breakers-Tihany Design affiliation, which launched with the opening of HMF - a chic social club that pays tribute to the classic Palm Beach cocktail culture of the 50s and 60s. This project served as The Breakers’ first foray into transformative design, bridging the high life of past and present. Today, the collaboration is as energized as ever, with Tihany Design currently renovating Flagler Club’s 25 guestrooms and suites.