october-2010

PROMOTION: GULF COAST
the
coast
is clear
THE SUGARY WHITE SAND
BEACHES of northwest Florida and
eastern Alabama are a playground
for millions of Americans each year.
And on April 20, 2010, when an
explosion occurred on a drilling rig
in the Gulf of Mexico, everyone held
their collective breath. As the reality
of the situation unfolded, thoughts
turned to the impact on the environment,
especially to the wildlife and
the ecosystem. The mainstream
media painted a grim picture, yet
Mother Nature proved she is far
CLOCKWISE FROM
TOP-LEFT: Sunset
in Gulf Shores, AL;
Kids playing in the
crystal-clear water
of Pensacola, FL;
Sandestin Golf and
Beach Resort; a property
from Kaiser
Realty
more resilient than we give her credit
for, and the catastrophe that so many
expected has been averted—thanks
to a lot of hard work from thousands
of volunteers. Despite this, the headline
news that kept us all captivated
for weeks has taken its toll on the
region’s tourism, which is the main
engine that drives the economy in
many of these beach communities.
The fact of the matter is that the
beaches are in wonderful condition,
the weather is beautiful at this time
of year, and the region’s hospitality
Left photo courtesy of Alabama Gulf Coast CVB, right photo courtsey of
Pensacola Bay Area CVB.
industry is ready to welcome you
back with some amazing deals.
Pensacola is the site of America’s
first European settlement and recently
celebrated its 450th anniversary.
If you fly in, you’ll land at Pensacola
Gulf Coast Regional Airport, which is
celebrating its 75th anniversary. The
area is also home to the nation’s first
Naval Air Station, the legendary Blue
Angels and the National Museum of
Naval Aviation. Today, Pensacola is
a beautiful city, filled with culture,
history and direct access to miles and
miles of the country’s finest beaches.
Recreation in the area isn’t limited to
being on land either. Fishing enthusiasts
consider the Gulf of Mexico and
its miles of Intracoastal Waterways,
bays and rivers a sport fisherman’s
paradise. Beneath the surface, scuba
divers enjoy numerous dive sites
including the opportunity to dive the
USS Oriskany, an aircraft carrier that
was scuttled to create an artificial reef
in 2006.
THERE ARE a number of options for
accommodations so you get maximum
enjoyment during your stay.
Right on Pensacola Beach, the
Hampton Inn is convenient to numerous
fun-filled events, recreational
activities, specialty shops and a