Posted on 08/17/2010 8:14:04 PM PDT by smokingfrog
The operators of businesses visited by the first family last weekend are unsure if their visit will have a direct impact on their establishments, but they and local officials are hopeful it will boost visitor traffic and the economy in Panama City Beach.
“Having the first family visit Panama City Beach is international news,” said Dan Rowe, executive director of the Bay County Tourist Development Council.
There are no hard numbers available about direct economic impacts, Rowe said, but articles printed around the world about the visit will increase the area’s profile as a tourist destination, and he expects far-reaching bene-fits from first lady Michelle Obama’s July visit and the family’s vacation last weekend.
Mike Walsingham, part owner of WonderWorks, said he expects Michelle Obama’s first visit to the area to have more of an impact than the family vacation. During the June visit, she said if she were a child she’d want to stop at the upside-down house attraction on Front Beach Road.
She and daughter Sasha sneaked away to WonderWorks on Sunday, away from the press’s cameras.
“I don’t know (if) there will be an effect on my end because nobody knows” they came, Walsingham said. They requested no pictures be taken, which limits the ability to promote the visit, he said.
But he’s not complaining. “It was great they came and visited. … It’s got to be positive no matter what it is,” he said.
That’s what Rowe is hoping for. He expects the visit will have positive short-, medium- and long-term impacts.
The first step in bringing visitors is awareness, he said. The exposure generated by the trip will make those who have never been to Panama City Beach more familiar and reinforce to those who have that this is a good vacation destination.
(Excerpt) Read more at waltonsun.com ...
I would rate the economic impact as somewhere near zero. Similar positive impact that Obama has had on the rest of the economy.
I doubt it, maybe the fanatically morbid thrill seekers will flock to places Obama has been.
Obama has a satanic veil flowing behind him, people die, I kid thee not.
If Michelle was there they better check to see if the Ice Cream is still there!?????? Just Sayin’?
Sorry guy. Barry is in Seattle now. That’s where all the tourists (Obamagroupies) have gone.
...mint chocolate chip ice cream for the president, a hot fudge sundae with extra fudge and no whipped cream for Michelle and cake batter Oreo for Sasha...
Cake batter Oreo? Never heard of that flavor...! Heard of Oreo just not the batter... :^))
Panama City, Walton Beach, etc. must be smoking reefer or drinking left-wing Kool-Aid. What morons these folks must be. Your tourism business got the kiss of death from the Obama family. Throw in your “traitor” Governor Charlie Crist and you fools are total toast. I would not hold my breath for tourist business to come your way!!! You just sucked up to the most hated and radioactive buffoon in America and...he is as Anti-American as any human can be. Panama City, about as dumb as they come!!!
How is welfare trash going to help a business?
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