FLORIDA KEYS — The Florida Keys tourism council has placed a new “live chat” communications tool on its www.fla-keys.com website, merging modern technology with visitor information services offered by the Keys’ five regional chambers of commerce, from Key Largo to Key West.

Live chat services are ideal for people on the fla-keys.com website who want assistance from a live person in the Keys without having to make a phone call.

“This feature is relatively new for tourism bureaus and destination marketing organizations,” said Jessica Bennett, of the Keys tourism council. “Website visitors interact with live people with real-life knowledge.”

Live chat is available weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Time.  During off hours, users can leave a call-back request.

To access the live chat feature, visitors simply click the “Chat With Us Live” button located at the top of each page of the fla-keys.com website.

Users then are prompted to input what area of the Keys they are interested in or “Not Sure” for a general inquiry, as well as their name and (optional) email address, and then click on “Start Chat.”

A chat window screen opens and within seconds the user is greeted by a chat operator and invited to respond with questions.

“We are excited about providing this new service,” said Daniel Samess, president of the Marathon Chamber of Commerce. “Visitors have another means to connect and have interaction with travel professionals who live in the Keys and can assist.”

Keys visitor information: www.fla-keys.com or 800-FLA-KEYS (352-5397)

Social: www.facebook.com/floridakeysandkeywest • twitter.com/thefloridakeys • www.YouTube.com/FloridaKeysTV