Governor Charlie Crist praised the recent opening of the new Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport in the Panhandle saying that it would boost the economic impact of the area. Crist also took the opportunity on Saturday to emphasize that Florida’s beaches are clean, the fish are biting, and the Sunshine State is open for business.
“Florida is undoubtedly one of the world’s favorite tourism spots, and our economy thrives on projects and initiatives that strengthen this vital industry,” Governor Crist said. “I am confident this airport will further encourage tourists to visit the Panhandle, our sugar-sand beaches and fish in our pristine waters, while also making it easier for Floridians to travel around the state. We will continue to pursue projects that maintain Florida’s reputation as a world-class destination.”
Governor Crist expressed his confidence the airport will boost tourist access to the panhandle, while emphasizing the need for heightened outreach to potential visitors following the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
Last week, the Governor announced that BP will provide Florida a $25-million grant to conduct an extensive national tourism advertising campaign during the next two months to ensure potential travelers have accurate information about the Deepwater Horizon oil spill’s impact on Florida’s beaches and waters. The campaign will include broadcast television and radio, print, online and social marketing, targeting in-state, domestic and international markets. The campaign will also include extensive proactive image generation and distribution of photos and videos of visitors enjoying Florida beaches and attractions.
In 2007, Governor Crist lauded the groundbreaking of the Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport as a national model for economic development and environmental preservation.
At the height of the three-year construction process, the project created 1,200 jobs. In addition to creating jobs, the environmentally sensitive design of the new airport is expected to earn it the recognition of “America’s First Green Airport.” It is also one of the first airports to seek the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification, an internationally recognized green building certification.
Meanwhile, Southwest Airlines began its first flights from Orlando into the new airport on Sunday, May 23, having announced last December 2009, that the carrier was opening its schedule for bookings.
