Florida’s Paradise Coast, made up of Naples and Marco Island and the Everglades, is launching a bid to be a major health and wellness destination.

A group of Collier County tourism professionals has banded together to form a task force to develop strategies that will establish the region as a wellness destination, capitalizing on the multibillion-dollar industry.

The timing of the new initiative couldn’t be better as the region was just recognized as the Healthiest-Happiest community by Gallup-Sharecare State of American Well-Being 2017 Community Well-Being Rankings.

“The Wellness Tourism Visionary Task Force has chosen the slogan “Be Well in Paradise” to amplify the destination’s brand, which is Florida’s Paradise Coast,” said Debi DeBenedetto, group sales and marketing manager for the Naples, Marco Island, Everglades Convention and Visitors Bureau. “The potential to grow wellness tourism into a major draw for visitors is strong and we are confident our wellness offerings will attract visitors from all over the world to enjoy Naples, Marco Island and the Everglades–the happiest and healthiest place in America.”

Wellness tourism is soaring and is projected to be worth $808 billion by 2020.

The group was founded by DeBenedetto and Peggy Sealfon, a Naples-based internationally recognized speaker, author and personal development coach and is supported by marketing strategies developed by the Naples, Marco Island, Everglades Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The first step the task force is taking is to establish a network of wellness providers in Collier County to attract wellness travelers from around the world.

The goal is to assemble a number of wellness offerings, events and initiatives from hotels, restaurants, attractions, sports and spa facilities, activity and tour providers and holistic facilities and house them together online as a resource for wellness travelers.