With 22 miles of uncrowded beaches, over 100,000 acres of parks and conservation land, and charming downtowns, Martin County is a destination defined by its natural assets and authentic character. The Martin County Office of Tourism & Marketing works elevate this unique destination by welcoming visitors, supporting local communities, and ensuring tourism growth aligns with sustainability and stewardship.
This page highlights the tourism team’s collective success: from launching nationally recognized initiatives like Explore Natural Martin, to securing dozens of prestigious accolades for destination marketing, sustainability, communications, and community engagement.
Explore below to learn more about our award-winning campaigns, groundbreaking partnerships, and the people driving innovation in Florida tourism.
Explore Natural Martin was proudly featured at the 2024 Destination Marketing Summit, where we led a session showcasing the program’s development and success. We shared how the Martin County Office of Tourism and Marketing was able to build this program from the ground up, navigate challenges, engage stakeholders, and deliver measurable results.
You can read the full session overview here.
Explore Natural Martin is a proud partner of Leave No Trace, an internationally recognized nonprofit organization that educates individuals how to practice responsible outdoor recreation. The organization spotlighted Explore Natural Martin as a standout example for how to effectively integrate Leave No Trace principles into guided eco-tours.
Read the full article here.
Stuart Magazine did a profile on Emily Dark, Martin County’s Senior Environmental Resource and Ecotourism Program Planner, in a feature celebrating her passion for the outdoors and her role in building the Explore Natural Martin program. The article highlights Emily’s career path, passion for conservation, and vision for connecting people to the natural world through education and immersive outdoor experiences. It also showcases the early success of Explore Natural Martin and its growing partnerships with local organizations and national leaders like Leave No Trace.
Read the full article here.
Martin County Tourism Director Nerissa Okiye was honored with a 2024 Above & Beyond: Women Honoring Women in Government and Public Service Award through News Service Florida. This statewide recognition celebrates outstanding women leaders who have made a lasting impact in Florida’s public sector. Nerissa was recognized for her visionary leadership in promoting Martin County’s authentic natural experiences, exemplified by the award-winning Explore Natural Martin program.
View the award here.
Emily Dark, Martin County’s Senior Environmental Resource and Ecotourism Coordinator, was named a 2024 Impact Award recipient by the News Service of Florida. This honor recognizes Floridians making a difference across the state, where Emily was celebrated for her leadership of the award-winning Explore Natural Martin program.
View the award here.
Ian Centrone, Deputy Tourism Director for Martin County, was named to the 2025 News Service of Florida 40 Under 40 list. This recognition celebrates rising leaders shaping Florida’s future. Ian was recognized for his ability to craft compelling narratives that elevate Martin County as a sustainable tourism destination, where his storytelling expertise has been central to the success of Explore Natural Martin.
View the award here.
