Florida Keys Tourism Council Launches ‘Safer@Home’ Video Challenge

FLORIDA KEYS — Although the Florida Keys remain closed to visitors due to the global COVID-19 crisis, a new social media contest enables travelers to re-create their favorite Keys memories in video form while staying safe at home.

Hashtagged #FLKeysAtHomeChallenge, the quirky Instagram-based competition debuted May 11 and is to continue through May 25, with the winner to receive a visit to the Keys to be enjoyed after the destination reopens.

The video challenge is part of the Florida Keys tourism council’s “Safer@Home” initiative, launched in mid-April to promote “stay-at-home” directives to combat COVID-19 while also sensitively maintaining consumer awareness of the island chain.

During the challenge, entrants are tasked with uploading a self-made video to their personal Instagram feed that re-creates favorite Keys moments or activities in the seclusion of their home or yard. Videos can be up to one minute long and all entries must be identified by the hashtag and mention @thefloridakeys.

For example, a fan of Keys fishing could produce a mini-video of a fishing adventure in the bathtub. Alternately, entrants might concoct a favorite tropical drink on camera, chill in a hammock beside an inflatable palm tree, pretend to dive into an in-home aquarium or even perform a self-penned song or ditty about the Keys.

Contest information is posted across the island chain’s social media channels. After the entry period concludes and submissions are reviewed, plans call for a winner to be chosen at random.

The prize is a four-night vacation in the Keys, with travel to be scheduled after officials deem the destination can begin welcoming visitors again. Elements include complimentary accommodations, special meals and gift cards toward airfare and car rental. Entrants must be age 21 or older and legal residents of the U.S. 

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