Panama City Beach looks for UK tourist growth
Contributors are not employed, compensated or governed by TD, opinions and statements are from the contributor directly
The Floridian area of Panama City Beach is hoping a host of new products and UK thirst for new experiences will increase its tourist numbers.
The north-west area in the US state is using events and sport to entice more British people to its shores, particularly those that have already been to Orlando.
These include a new amphitheatre built from the compensation it received from BP after the oil spill in 2010. This will be home to music events and concerts in the area including the Sea Breeze Jazz Festival and a performance in June by The Wanted.
It is the start of regeneration at Panama City Beach which it will use in talks with travel agents to promote the area, although will still market its heritage too. A trade section of its website is in progress to support its resources.
“The third or fourth time traveller will find us – after Disney and Universal they branch off to beaches and then the lesser-known areas of Florida,” Susan Estler, VP marketing and communications at Panama City Beach’s CVB told Travel Daily. “PCB is a real community and has an endearing kitsch vibe like the Goofy Golf course that is more than 50 years old but still stands, and its two piers.”
She added the CVB will be looking to develop relationships with key tour operators and has already been involved with Funway’s Florida beaches programme.
“Florida feels ‘known’ but not many UK travellers really know that much past the most popular areas, so this is a new option for tour operators and is different to those offered in Orlando,” Estler added.
Comments are closed.