Spring Break Panama City

Destin, Fla.: Seaside destination has 'the total package'

It was not so long ago that Destin, Fla., about halfway between Pensacola and Panama City on the Gulf of Mexico, was the kind of place where life was slow and easy. Its modest assemblage of low-slung houses, mom-and-pop stores and bait-and-tackle shops were more than enough to satisfy the two thousand souls that called it home. The town proudly lived up to its label as "the world's luckiest fishing village," with days typically involving commercial pursuit of some 20-odd species of game fish.

But then everything changed. Blame it on tourism. Ever since amateur fishermen and beachgoers began arriving for recreation and relaxation, the once-sleepy village has become the Fort Lauderdale of the Panhandle. Lured by fine white sand, warm blue-green seas and growing amenities, vacationers have flooded its limits, turning this city of 14,000 into an activity-focused tourist town.

Clifton residents Paul and Debbie Clarkson bought a vacation home in Point Pleasant Beach about 20 years ago. They used the property on weekends in the spring and summer and had standing plans to trade up to a more spacious home. But following a visit to their hideaway several years ago, they came to realize that the popular Jersey Shore beach town had become far too crowded for their taste, and provided limited opportunities for them to enjoy it year-round.

"So we started looking at other places. We checked out a number of alternatives up and down the Shore, went into upstate New York around the Hudson Valley region and searched in several Southern states, including South Carolina, Mississippi, Georgia, Alabama and Florida," Paul Clarkson said. "We had never visited northwestern Florida before, and were very impressed with what Destin had to offer."

They were smitten by the town's uncluttered, duned beaches and crystal clear waters; its active lifestyle scene in a small-town atmosphere; and the warm climate. After selling their Jersey weekend house, they bought a 2,700-square-foot four-bedroom house with a large great room with bar area and an in-ground pool on a half-acre lot in a sought-after Destin golf community in 2010 for $449,900.

The couple, who found their home on the Internet, drove nearly 20 hours to see it and made an offer on the spot. They now spend summers and holidays there, and plan to permanently settle in Destin after wrapping up their careers in a couple of years. "We are crazy about it, and we don't believe there is any better place in the area in terms of the total package," Clarkson said.

Collegiate Marketing Group Seeing Surge in Panama City Beach Spring

Panama City Beach, FL (PRWEB) February 10, 2010

Collegiate Marketing Group LLC, a co-op of Panama City Beach hoteliers and nightclubs, says Panama City Beach, FL, will once again be the Spring Break destination of choice for college students nationwide. While other popular international hot spots are suffering through a major downturn in bookings, Panama City Beach, FL, remains the strongest Spring Break destination for college students in 2010.

Dana Lent, Communications Manager for the Panama City Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau, says, “Panama City Beach has been the Spring Break beach of choice for over 50 years and we expect to have another successful college Spring Break season this year. Panama City Beach is open and ready for Spring Break bookings!”

Collegiate Marketing Group says the current flood of Panama City Beach hotel reservations is largely due to its aggressive internet marketing campaign. The group’s survey indicates this media blitz is playing a major part in keeping this Florida destination in front of students when it comes time for them to make their Spring Break travel plans. A key element to the marketing plan is the use of popular social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter to reach millions of students at targeted universities and colleges nationwide.

Sometimes called the Spring Break Capital of the World, Panama City Beach is famous for this annual party, as students from across the globe head en masse to the stunning white sand beaches. Known as one of the most exciting Spring Break locations this side of paradise (and no passport required), this beach has everything from huge mega beach clubs to rock stars in concert.

Students looking for parties and clubs in Panama City Beach to dance the night away (4am closing times are the norm), there are dozens to choose from, many of which host large special events specifically geared towards Spring Breakers. Students will find serious entertainment at these hotspots. In 2009, a whole host of famous artists performed in Panama City Beach, including Kenny Chesney, the All-American Rejects and Asher Roth, among many others. In addition, MTV reality show stars were dropping by the local beach clubs every night and playing guest DJ and hosting a variety of Spring Break events. Talk about name dropping! One never knows who might show up at Spinnaker, Harpoon Harry’s, or Sharky’s Beach Club.

Spring Break: The economic, socio-cultural and public governance impacts of college students on Spring Break host locations

Moon Florida Gulf Coast

Panama City Beach

Moon Florida

Seventh Grade