Destin-Fort Walton Beach (Okaloosa’s Tourism Department) has been recognized with six awards for their recent ‘Adventure Anywhere’ and ‘Venture Out’ tourism campaigns.

• The honors, which were presented by VISIT FLORIDA on the state level and the U.S. Travel Association on the national level, recognize Okaloosa County’s Tourist  Development Department’s efforts over the past year.

“We are thrilled to receive acknowledgements from both VISIT FLORIDA and the U.S. Travel Association,” said Jennifer Adams, Tourism Director, Destin-Fort Walton Beach. “The success of both campaigns would not have been possible without the support of our valued tourism partners and is testament to the appeal of our offerings and the important role that tourism plays in the local economy.”

Destin-Fort Walton Beach received a total of five Flagler Awards for outstanding Florida tourism marketing at the state’s Governor’s Conference on Tourism.

• The Educational Seminar for Tourism Organizations (ESTO) of the U.S. Travel Association also honored the destination with a Destiny Award in recognition of excellence and creative accomplishment in destination marketing and promotion.

‘Adventure Anywhere’ launched in April 2020 in response to COVID-19. The campaign offered a collection of indoor/outdoor itineraries designed to connect parents, teachers, businesses, and children with water-based adventures in Destin-Fort Walton Beach without leaving the house. The campaign featured virtual activities to keep kids learning, moving, and entertained.

‘Venture Out’ was introduced in July 2020 and featured a series of adventure packs designed with expert input from local moms, who later served as online guides, to encourage locals and visitors to experience the various water adventures and local dining Destin-Fort Walton  Beach has to offer.

• The packages included offerings from local businesses ranging from charter fishing to paddleboarding, and had taken extra precautions to ensure the health and safety of guests.

And The Results: Tourism Tax Collections went up 22.0% from July-December 2019 to July-December 2020. According to VisaVue data, spend per visitor went up 9.2% during the same time period year over year.