May 31, 2010 – Can you keep the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill from wrecking your summer beach vacation?
While you can’t plug the underground leak that has spewed millions of gallons of crude oil into the Gulf of Mexico, you can make an informed decision before you book your next vacation. With the help of tourism sites in the states affected, you can avoid the impact of the oil spill before you arrive at your planned destination.
Tourism along the Gulf Coast from Florida to Texas accounts for $20 billion a year in revenues, according to EPA estimates. State and local tourism officials – concerned that wary travelers could vacation elsewhere – are getting the word out that the area’s beaches are still pristine and attractive. They are using paid advertising, Web sites, live video feeds and social media sites to spread the word – and providing tools to help consumers make informed choices.
A satellite photo of the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico on May 24, 2010.
A satellite photo of the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico on May 24, 2010.BP has provided $70 million for advertising to help the states of Alabama, Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi spread the word that their beaches remain unaffected by the environmental disaster. Florida is getting $25 million of that total, with the other three states receiving $15 million each. Thus far, only a portion of the Louisiana shoreline near the mouth of the Mississippi River has been affected by the spill.
In Mississippi, Gov. Haley Barbour reiterated during a May 27th trip to Biloxi that “We’re open for business.” Reporters (myself included) visiting the beaches in Biloxi and Ocean Springs on the eve of the Memorial Day weekend found families playing on white beaches and no oil-related smells or sights. We met deep sea fishermen who reported angling success – although captains kept relatively close to the shore and commercial shrimp boats remain docked.
The Mississippi Development Authority’s Tourism Division has formed a steering committee to allocate its $15 million advertising budget from BP. The group is headed by Mary Beth Wilkerson, MDA’s director of tourism, and includes four groups representing the state’s three coastal counties. The Mississippi coast’s $1.6 billion in annual tourism-related revenues accounts for about one-third of the state’s total tourism income.
A family enjoying the beach in Biloxi just ahead of the Memorial Day Weekend. Credit Bobby L. Hickman
A family enjoying the beach in Biloxi just ahead of the Memorial Day Weekend. Credit Bobby L. Hickman
That collaboration “is a positive approach to assure these funds are maximized for the best possible impact,” Wilkerson said, “and that there is one resounding collective message that the Mississippi Gulf Coast is open for business.” The group has allocated the first $4 million of that total, targeting advertisements in areas that were already the top markets for the coastal counties.
Edith Parten of the Alabama Tourism Department said her state is now making plans for how to use its $15 million from BP. The state had previously launched its own $1.5 million marketing campaign “to assure visitors that Alabama’s beaches are clean and open for business despite reports of isolated tar debris along the Gulf coast,” according to an announcement.
Kim Chapman of the Gulf Shores/Orange Beach CVB in Alabama said there have been “sporadic, rare tar balls – maybe the size of a golf ball” in her area and on nearby Dauphin Island at the mouth of Mobile Bay. However, “We have none of the oil sheen here: only white beaches,” she added.
While there were reports in early May of a rash of hotel cancellations in several areas of the Gulf Coast, most resorts are now reporting reservations that are closer to normal levels. In Gulf Shores, Chapman said, “Our number of guests is slightly off from last year, but we are having more influx now. It seems people waited until closer to Memorial Day to make their reservations.” She added some resort officials told her they “are at 100% occupancy for the holiday.”
A game of frisbee on one of Mississippi’s beaches. Credit: Bobby L. Hickman
A game of frisbee on one of Mississippi’s beaches. Credit: Bobby L. Hickman
Chapman said Gulf Shores has been spreading the word that its beaches are open through daily updates on its Web site, www.gulfshores.com, including time-stamped photos submitted by guests. “We’re staffing our social media sites 24/7 to provide timely responses,” she continued. “We’re also posting new videos on YouTube seven days a week.”
While the oil spill does not yet threaten Florida, the Sunshine State remains on alert. “At this time, no northwest Florida beaches have been impacted by the spill and prevailing winds continue to benefit Franklin County by keeping the spill far away from the area,” said Shari Hubbard of Geiger & Associates, which represents the county’s Tourist Development Council. (Franklin County includes Apalachicola and St. George’s Island.) Hubbard said the TDC is posting daily video updates at www.anaturalescape.com. Similarly, Santa Rosa County, which includes Navarre Beach, is providing current data at www.santarosaoilinfo.com.
The 624 miles of Texas coastline has also thus far been spared a direct impact from the oil spill. “Our beaches are not affected, and are open for business,” states an advisory on the tourism department’s Web site. “Texas Tourism reassures travelers not to cancel plans to visit the Lone Star State. We encourage you to check this page frequently as new information will be posted as soon as it becomes available.”
The Louisiana Office of Tourism reported that most of its Gulf Coast “is unaffected by the oil spill and remains open for commercial and recreational fishing,” according to its May 27th advisory notice. Coastal areas near the mouth of the Mississippi River are closed to fishing, and Grand Isle has closed its public beach. However, the state noted, most of the areas impacted by the spill are sparsely inhabited, and New Orleans is 100 miles inland from that area.
Gulf Coast leaders and residents alike are fully aware that the more time passes without capping the leaking oil well, the greater the risk to the area’s tourism – particularly with hurricane season on the horizon. While they are eager to continue hosting beachgoers all summer long, they are also aware that making up-to-date information available to travelers is critical.
So, if you’re thinking about a Gulf Coast vacation, don’t back out – just make sure you have the most current information before you head to the beach.
4MoreInfo
Alabama Tourism
www.alabama.travel
Franklin County, FL
www.anaturalescape.com
Gulf Shores/Orange Beach CVB, AL
www.gulfshores.com
Louisiana Tourism
www.louisianatravel.com
Mississippi Gulf Coast Tourism
www.VisitMSCoast.org
Mobile, AL
www.mobile.org
Navarre Beach, FL
www.santarosaoilinfo.com
Texas Tourism
www.traveltex.com
Visit Florida
www.VisitFlorida.com/floridalive
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Thanks for spreading this important message. May the hole get plugged soon.
Well thank goodness we were able to stop the president from drilling more gushers in or around Florida and the Panhandle. Now Alaska is under the gun again. I live inland in Florida, however our kids love the beach and we planned on visiting during summer break. This wont keep us away, hopefully it wont get worse before it gets better. I cant believe with all the scientists and researchers and oil “specialist” they dont have some kind of clean up plan in place yet, or before this happened.
Good information Bobby. Thanks for sharing this!