South Florida Free Beaches/Florida Naturist Association News Release

The City of Key West and Monroe County, (the Florida Keys) are reviewing possible designated clothing-optional naturist family beach sites:

South Florida Free Beaches/Florida Naturist Association, ( SFFB/FNA ) at a recent meeting of the friends of Higgs Beach, ( a county beach within the City of Key West ), recommended they consider a designated naturist beach as part of their effort to restore the quality of life issues in the Lower Keys & Key West, as well as boost tourism.

There has been a large drop off in the number of tourists visiting Florida in general as well as the Florida Keys & Key West.

It was pointed out that many other tropical tourist destinations have built competing hotel accommodations and have added top-free for women at pool areas and beaches. Many have also created designated clothing-optional beach areas to attract North Americans, Europeans and other Latin and South American tourists that prefer Euro-Style beaches.

Richard Mason, president and spokesperson for the Florida naturists pointed to the success of the designated naturist beach at Haulover Beach Park on Miami Beach. Now in its 18th year, Mason pointed out that the naturist beach attracts 1.4 million visitors annually with over 60% being tourists from outside of Miami-Dade County. The economic impact is large and has been a major contributor in sales taxes, resort taxes and the creation of jobs.

Further, Miami-Dade County is the only county in Florida to report an increase in European tourist visits in 2008. Haulover Beach may be the contributing factor in that increase.

For a resort area relying on tourists, Mason stated that “the need in Key West is ‘heads in beds’ and a designated naturist beach is one of the best ways to do that.” He further stated that while tourism to Florida is down, in Cuba 90 miles away they are enjoying increases in the number of tourists. Cuba reports 2.35 million in 2008, up from 500,000 in 1995. Cuba has designated naturist beaches and increased hotel facilities.

Officials of both Key West and the government of Monroe County are reviewing options in their obligation to assist the Florida Key’s main industry, the hospitality industry, in their effort to bring more tourists to the Keys. Many city and county commissioners are reported to be investigating beach sites to determine the best locations in an area that has few beaches.

South Florida Free Beaches/Florida Naturist Association, working with the national Naturist Society and the Florida based BEACHES Foundation, has in the meantime set up a Committee of local naturists, the Florida Keys Free Beaches, to build support with the business community and assist local governments in both site locations and planning.

Tom Chittendem, founder of SFFB/FNA 28 years ago in Miami, and now a Key West resident, is heading up the effort in the founding on the Florida Keys Free Beaches Committee and is an advisor to their efforts.

The naturists have promised, that once a location is designated and signage and other specifications are in place, they will use the full force of their Internet and print media connections to all local and national, as well as international associations to make them aware that Key West and the Florida Keys have facilities that meet their vacation requirements.

One of these associations, the European based International Naturist Federation has 33 million members.

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Nudists Defend the Conch Republic

Nudists usually have the reputation of being passive, compassionate people who prefer to just sun their buns than get caught up in conflict, but that all ended on the evening of April 27th 2009 when troops from the Florida Keys Free Beaches joined in the naval battle to defend the Conch Republic.

Over ten Free Beachers fought bravely during a two hour tour of duty that saw the throwing of over 30 pounds of bread against both friendly and attacking vessels.

Florida Keys Free Beaches was there in the Conch Republic’s hour of need. Will Monroe County reciprocate with a nude beach so we will have a place to tend to our tans and prepare for the next time we are called into action?

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