On April 20, 2010 we witnessed a major environmental disaster unfold as the Deepwater Horizon licensed by BP exploded, spewing millions of gallons of oil into gulf waters. Sheets of oil and tar balls would soon reach our beaches effecting businesses and individuals alike and nearly shutting down the tourism industry. Both scientists and environmentalists predicted that it would take years for tourism rebound.
With all that gloom, we saw the tourism industry slowly rebound in 2011 with businesses and visitors trickling back to area beaches. Restaurants, hotels, and vendors rolled out the carpet with free concerts held along the Gulf Coast.
2012 is expected to be a stellar year for Northwest Florida tourism. Many businesses are already beginning to offer attractive discounts for lodging and dining with many more to follow in the coming months. With the tourist season soon to be in full swing, it’s not too early to start making plans.
The Northwest Florida region is booming with new hotels and restaurants offering some great rates on lodging and discounts on dining. New additions to the area include the expansion of Pensacola International Airport, a new 127-room Airport Hyatt Place Hotel scheduled to open in the spring of 2013.
2012 will be a first for the Gulf Coast when the Pensacola Blue Wahoos, a minor league baseball team will open the season in April at the newly constructed 54 million dollar Maritime Park Stadium. The Pensacola Blue Wahoos are the Class Double-an affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds Major League Baseball team.
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