The Triumph Gulf Coast Board has unanimously approved a $10.5 million grant to VISIT FLORIDA, aiming to benefit all eight counties impacted by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
- The grant will fund a three-year initiative to enhance marketing efforts and promote the diverse tourism offerings in Bay, Escambia, Franklin, Gulf, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Walton, and Wakulla Counties.
The expanded promotional effort, led by VISIT FLORIDA, seeks to reach new audiences and raise awareness of the year-round adventures available in the region. By promoting visitation outside of the peak summer season, the initiative aims to add resilience to the region’s tourism industry and extend seasonal employment.
“While perhaps best known for its beautiful beaches, Northwest Florida is also home to a wide array of unique waterways, beautiful state parks, and protected nature preserves,” said Dana Young, VISIT FLORIDA President and CEO. “We are grateful to the Triumph Gulf Coast Board for their support in recognizing the value that tourism brings to the region, and excited to start implementing this innovative program that will introduce visitors to new experiences they may not have otherwise considered.”
The project builds upon the recent success of Northwest Florida Beaches’ “Adventure within Reach” campaign, which drove demand among families seeking new outdoor adventures such as charter fishing, diving, snorkeling, paddling, and hiking.
- With the support of the Northwest Florida Tourism Council, local tourism boards, and the Board of County Commissioners in all eight counties, the funds will directly impact marketing efforts.
“An investment of this magnitude presents an exciting opportunity for the tourism industry to make a lasting, transformational impact on our community,” said Darien Schaefer, President & CEO of Visit Pensacola and Northwest Florida Tourism Council Chair. “The result of the ‘Adventure within Reach’ campaign goes beyond a marketing campaign. This significant expansion will generate new product demand for our small businesses, creating an environment where adventure careers can thrive and entrepreneurs can innovate.”
Triumph Gulf Coast Board Chair David Bear emphasized the importance of tourism in driving the economy of Northwest Florida, praising the individual counties for their efforts in promoting and developing tourism within their respective communities.
“Through this grant to VISIT FLORIDA, Triumph is pleased to support a unified, regional effort to enhance and expand the impact of our tourism promotion,” Bear said.
3 Responses
From the above ““An investment of this magnitude presents an exciting opportunity for the tourism industry to make a lasting, transformational impact on our community,” said Darien Schaefer, President & CEO of Visit Pensacola and Northwest Florida Tourism Council Chair. “
Transformational impact…. more traffic, more crowding out locals from out beaches. Enough is enough. Start catering to the regular locals and other industry opportunities and not the tourism businesses. Businesses rake it in while the tourism workers struggle with working multiple jobs.
This was needed right after the oil spill in 2010 but now we have more than enough visitors in South Walton County due to COVID. Maybe areas further from the beach can benefit from this program
More infrastructure and public beach access are needed before more tourists. This is a waste of money!!! 23 years here and I cannot believe what has happened to it – sad!