The smell of fresh fish, salt in the air, smiling faces, warm breeze, children laughing – these were all common elements found in decades past at what had been dubbed the “City Pier” on Panama City Beach. Located a couple miles east of Highway 79, the City Pier used to be called Dan Russell Municipal Pier, but has since found a new name. But, we’ll get to that in a moment.
Tag: panama city beach
5 Ideas for Your Labor Day at the Beach
After a dismal summer tourism season from the BP oil spill disaster, tourism officials are very optimistic for this Labor Day weekend to end the summer season with a bang. Many local resorts are reporting full occupancy this weekend and with great weather projected for all three days of this extended weekend, locals and tourists alike are sure to have a blast.
Beach Conditions Improve
Since the oil spill interest has waned, we’ve been overwhelmed by interest in knowing what the beaches are like. What is the algae situation like? Is there any June Grass? Is it bad? Is the surf up? These seem to resound continually on our Facebook page, so we’re responding by shooting some quick video every week to show you.
This week we’re at the city pier across from Pier Park. If it seems like we’re here a lot, it’s because we are. Our office is on the west end, I live out here, so the beach out here is very accessible.
The beach conditions weren’t bad this week, the algae was hardly present, but you could see indication of June Grass some distance out. Here’s the video.
Oil Spill Barely Hurts June Bed Tax Collections
Despite a very dismal looking outlook at the beginning of the summer, the actual numbers for June are showing nearly even bed tax collections this year, compared to last year. In June, a total of $1,88,269.21 was collected. This compares to $1,946,037.92 in tax revenue that was collected in June of 2009. The actual variance is just over $61,000, or -3.17%.
This was an interesting summer, we had tons of things lined up to all but guarantee the best summer tourist season we’ve had in years. Ironically, right before the season began, there was what some may call a monstrous accident just a few short hundred miles away. After a summer of weekly and even daily threats, the damaged perception left our local industry practically starving for business and pleading with their customers to keep their reservations. The rental climate changed from one of knowing how the numbers were going to be all summer before Memorial Day, to guessing what the next week would hold for rental revenue. Shops and restaurants had no idea what to expect, but were bracing for the worst. Talking to retailers and resorts, numbers were way off this year. Obviously some fared better than others, but overall most suffered to some degree.
But lets get back to the bed tax numbers. The numbers were only down 3.17% this year. That doesn’t seem all bad, right? Well, you have to consider that a deficit of any amount is going to spread hurt across the board. You have to consider that with any new additions to the rental or retail inventory, plus some businesses ability to reach their customers over other businesses, that 3.17% can mean quite a different story for different people.
All in all, I think we are blessed to have done as well as we did, in Panama City Beach, despite the looming threat that impaled the perception of our beach this summer. Hopefully next year no outside forces will impede all the work that has been put into increasing our local tourism business.
July’s numbers should be out within the week, which will be the real test to see how the summer really fared. Stay tuned!
PCB TDC to Meet, Discuss Summer Marketing Updates, Bed Tax Numbers
Tuesday, August 24, the Panama City Beach Tourist Development Council (known around these parts as the TDC) will meet to discuss various invoices to be paid, the possible build of a new Monument Sign, this summer’s bed tax numbers from June and July and a few other things that we’ll report on in greater detail tomorrow.
It’s been a couple of months since they’ve held a TDC meeting, but they’re usually pretty fun. And, we’re always on top of covering them and providing the latest as to what’s happening, live, during the meeting. Instead of cluttering up your Facebook feed with status updates on our page, we’ll hop over to our Twitter feed and post regular updates on what’s happening during the meeting.
For reference, here are the links.
- Facebook.com/pcbdaily
- Twitter.com/pcbdaily – this is where the live updates will be during the TDC meeting.
The meeting will be at 9 am and will be held in the Council Room at the City Buildings in Panama City Beach.
Read on for the full agenda.
Or, you can just click here to download it.
Continue reading “PCB TDC to Meet, Discuss Summer Marketing Updates, Bed Tax Numbers”
Dune Buggy Track Bound to Succeed
Panama Dunes – Dune Buddy Adventure Park is about ready to open. When we checked in with them a few weeks ago, we didn’t have much more information other than they were coming, that it was sure to be a blast and that they were not open yet. Now, we know approximate pricing, age limit for driving, a little more about the dune buggies and about when they are going to open.
Gulf World Marine Park De-Oiling Success
Gulf World Marine Park has had great success in de-oiling sea turtles and leading the way for them to return to their natural habitat over the last couple months. The only de-oiling facility for sea turtles in Northwest Florida, they’ve seen hundreds of turtles come through their program since the Gulf oil spill crisis, but have seen it slow down considerably over the last couple weeks. Right now, they have around 60 turtles that are preparing to be released back into the wild. They just did a huge release yesterday of 23 turtles.
Pier Park Beach is Almost Complete
A few weeks back, dirt began to be moved and sand was brought in for something all new to Pier Park in Panama City Beach. Just across the street from the new Miracle Strip @ Pier Park, in the long-vacant and undeveloped lot, they’ve moved in 3,600 tons of crystal white sand that rivals the perfect sand we walk on, on our beaches every day. What is the meaning of this, you may be asking yourself. I’ll tell you.
New City Park on the Beach in the Works
At a recent Panama City Beach City Council meeting, it was decided to move forward with figuring out how to obtain some Gulf-front property and build a city owned and maintained park. This a much wanted city amenity and the city of Panama City Beach wants to take advantage of a down real estate market to snatch up some land at a good deal, if they can secure a grant to do so.
Obama Family Vacations in Panama City Beach
This past weekend was probably one of the biggest weekends Panama City Beach has ever seen. I speak not in magnitude of tourist dollars being spent, but in global fame enjoying the same amenities that hundreds of thousands enjoy every year. Regardless of opinion of the visitors, Panama City Beach is definitely on the map now. Panama City Beach was THE Presidential buzz last weekend.
Continue reading “Obama Family Vacations in Panama City Beach”
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