Florida Governor Charlie Crist announced that BP is providing $7 million to the Northwest Florida Travel Council for tourism marketing and advertising. Florida had asked for $50 million, and Gov. Crist is still demanding that BP pay the balance of $43 million.

Gov. Charlie Crist onboard oil skimmer

BP has already paid Florida $25 million for tourism marketing, as part of a $70 million tourism promotion grant for the four Gulf Coast states impacted by the BP oil spill.

After that money ran out, Gov. Crist had sent a letter to BP on June 30, asking for another $50 million. BP refused, claiming that they didn’t see the need.

Apparently BP now sees the need, at least in Northwest Florida. Members of the Northwest Florida Travel Council include the tourist development councils of Escambia, Okaloosa, Walton and Bay counties.

They plan to use the BP funds to provide real-time information about the status of their beaches and run television, radio, print and online ads.

In response to BP’s new $7m committment, Gov. Crist sent a letter to Doug Suttles, CEO, Exploration & Production, BP America Inc. Excerpts from the letter:

“I must continue to urge BP to recognize that the impact of the oil spill extends far beyond the coastal counties of Northwest Florida… While the $7 million you have committed to the Northwest Florida Travel Council is certainly appreciated, we continue to believe, these funds fall drastically short of the need throughout the Sunshine State… From Pensacola to Key West, tourism industry leaders are reporting cancellations and declining reservations… To continue restoring their economic security, we respectfully request an additional $43 million to complete a second round of tourism advertising and marketing.”

That BP is willing to pony up more money for tourism marketing is good news for tourism boards in the Gulf Coast, and will almost certainly set off a new clamor for more BP funds from other organizations and cities that have made similar demands of BP.

Photo – U.S. Coast Guard Photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Walter Shinn; source

Share