An article by the Coed Media Group on its website for college students says Fort Myers Beach is number nine on the top 20 ‘trashiest’ spring break destination spots this year.   

Coed.com’s article lists its top 20 spring break destinations all over the country. The ranking’s criteria differ every year depending on what is popular at the moment with college students. For Fort Myers Beach, the hotel The Lani Kai, a fireman’s review and eye candy are what put it high on the list.

Ned Swain, Senior Editor at coed.com, said the term ‘trashy’ is meant to be ‘classy’ in regards to spring break spots.

“We use the term ‘trashy’ because it’s fun, and over the years we’ve gotten some flack from local governments and departments of commerce. But this is really something to embrace,” said Swain.  “This is something that’s good and we don’t mean to hurt anyone’s feelings. We’re really trying to speak the truth about what’s fun, and we really think that we do a good job of that. This post is one of our biggest things that we do all year, and it’s one of our favorite things that we do all year.”

But Bud Nocera, president of the Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce, said Florida does not purposely attract spring breakers. He had no comment on the ranking.

“Like most beach destinations, our spring break business is organic,” said Nocera. “By that, I mean that neither this Chamber of Commerce nor to my knowledge the Visitor and Convention Bureau does anything to promote spring break to this area.”

Despite that, Coed.com’s Swain recommends college students visit Fort Myers Beach during spring break. He said it has made it in their top ten every year since they started the list in 2011. Florida cities made up almost half the ranking. Daytona Beach, Key West, Destin, Tampa, Miami, Orlando, and Panama City Beach were also in the top 20.