United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
Southern beach towns rebound after oil spill
Beach towns from Alabama through the Florida Panhandle have had a strong summer 2011 rebound after a 2010 marred by tar balls, crude oil sheen, and cleanup crews and equipment ruining the views for beach-goers, reports Forbes.
"Tourists don't even mention the spill now. They haven't mentioned it really at all in the last six months," said John Ehrenreich, owner of Bonifay Water Sports in Pensacola.
Tourism leaders say the post-spill economic bounce is fueled in part by an influx from the cause of the spill, BP. The giant oil company has spent millions to promote Gulf Coast beaches.
Another factor for the string of white sand beaches from Alabama to Florida's Panhandle has been making it through the end of August without any disruptions from tropical storms or hurricanes.
While hurricane season isn't over yet, the biggest storm so far this year, Irene, spared the area when it veered farther north.
Pensacola Beach bested a June 2008 record for county lodging tax revenues this year by already bringing in US$1 million. County tourism officials say the numbers for cars passing through the toll booth entrance to Pensacola Beach this summer are on target to break records.
The city of Pensacola also had a record summer tourist season.
By David Wilkening
David
Kittipong Prapattong’s Plan for Thailand’s Tourism Growth: Taxes, Visas, and Campaigns
James Jin: Didatravel’s Journey from China to Global Reach and the Impact of AI on Travel
Darien Schaefer on Pensacola’s Evolution: From Small Town to Global Destination
Florida Tourism’s Next Frontier: Dana Young on Expanding Beyond the Classics
Patrick Harrison on Tampa Bay Tourism’s Resilience and Marketing Strategy
Bubba O’Keefe on Clarksdale’s Vibrant Music Scene
Commemorating Elvis and Embracing Tupelo’s Culture with Jennie Bradford Curlee
Craig Ray and the Expansion of the Blues Trail
Presenting Mississippi’s Cultural Trails with Katie Coats
Robert Terrell: A Journey Through BB King’s Influence
Rochelle Hicks: Celebrating Mississippi’s Musical Legacy
Exploring Jacksonville with Katie Mitura: The Flip Side of Florida
Dozens fall ill in P&O Cruises ship outbreak
Boy falls to death on cruise ship
Turkish Airlines flight in emergency landing after pilot dies
Unexpected wave rocks cruise ship
Woman dies after going overboard in English Channel