Beaches of South Walton Coastline Unaffected and Ready for Summer Travel

Beaches of South Walton Coastline Unaffected and Ready for Summer Travel

Destination Prepared and “Open for Business”

with New Airport Opening Just Days Away

WALTON COUNTY, Fla. Visitors continue to enjoy great weather and events along Beaches of South Walton’s 26 miles of unaffected coastline, as the destination prepares for a new international airport and an influx of summer travelers.

“The daily headlines might be full of doom and gloom, but what our visitors are seeing are emerald waters and white sand beaches,” said Tracy Louthain, director of communications for the Beaches of South Walton Tourist Development Council (TDC). “Our community is prepared for any potential impacts, but our primary message is that our destination is open for enjoyment.”

Visitors flocked to the destination for Mother’s Day weekend to enjoy a multitude of events, sunny skies and temperatures in the low 80s. The destination is now gearing up for a busy summer travel season, marked by all-new air service from major cities around the country.

New air service by Southwest Airlines to Northwest Florida is on schedule to begin May 23 to the new Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport. Nonstop service will be available from markets including Orlando, Nashville, Baltimore and Houston via Southwest and from Atlanta via Delta.

Lodging partners are preparing for the summer season with a host of travel packages and events, including sand sculpture demonstrations along Rosemary Beach, Le Grande Cirque performances in Sandestin, movie nights in WaterColor, the Digital Graffiti festival in Alys Beach, and many more.

Oil Status

According to the latest projections from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the oil slick in the Gulf is more than 150 miles from Beaches of South Walton and winds continue to move oil away from Florida waters.

The TDC and lodging partners are monitoring conditions closely, and partners are developing generous travel policies should any of the beaches be impacted. Visitors are encouraged to contact their lodging provider directly to discuss specific policies and programs.

To keep visitors informed about beach conditions and the county’s preparedness the TDC is continuing to post daily updates and images onwww.BSWupdate.com, including information on a fully funded action plan to protect the destination in the event of oil reaching the shore.

For more information about Beaches of South Walton, please visit www.beachesofsouthwalton.com or contact the Visitor’s Center at (800) 822-6877.

To access a 24-hour information line devoted to information regarding the drilling incident, contact the Walton County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 267-2000.