Latest news with #DanRowe
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Tourism Appreciation Month kicks off, TDC funding threats loom
BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – Bay County officials are excited about a number of events they have planned for Tourism Appreciation Month. However, they can't ignore the state legislative threats looming over the local destination marketing industry. House bills 7033 and 1221 would force 75% of tourist development tax revenue to be used to implement local property tax cuts. That's the money the TDC uses to fund tourism promotion and marketing, and build and maintain tourism facilities. It could even dissolve local tourist development councils. 'The TDC, we focus on how we continue to support tourism in bay county, I mean it's a 3.1-billion-dollar industry, and without destination marketing, the number of visitors who come to Panama City Beach every year and across Bay County would likely go down,' Bay County TDC executive director Dan Rowe said. Not only do local marketing efforts increase tourism, but they also influence the demographics of visitors. Mayor-elect Allan Branch talks future of Panama City Bay County's TDC helped PCB move away from the spring break reputation. 'Panama City Beach is a great place to go 12 months out of the year. We started this, you know, 15 years ago just to make sure that we were marketing it on a year-round basis, so we have less need for business, college spring break business, quite frankly, because the revenues were coming other times of the year,' Rowe said. The TDC also helps fund major local events like Beach Home for the holidays, the New Year's Eve Beach Ball Drop, UNwineD, Mardi Gras, and more. House members have already passed House Bills 7033 and 1221, which would require voters to renew bed taxes every eight years. The Senate is still debating its two companion bills, 7034 and 1664. Visit Panama City Beach is hosting tourism appreciation day next Wednesday at the county Panama City's event is Monday at 11:00 at the Panama City Marina. Both events are free and open to the public. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Yahoo
Flock Security Cameras to be installed in Pier Park
BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – Local law enforcement will have eyes on Pier Park at all times. The Bay County Tourist Development Council is investing $112,000 to install Flock cameras in Pier Park. The camera can read license plates, identifying any vehicle with an outstanding warrant. It will be utilized by Panama City Beach Police and the Bay County Sheriff's Office, connecting directly to the sheriff's BAYROC system. 'The sheriff has his BAYROCs system, which is an awesome system where they're able to see what's going on all over Bay County. And this will just help to augment that process,' Bay County Tourist Development Council Executive Director Dan Rowe said. Visit Panama City Beach includes local businesses and restaurants on their website. Officials say some of those local establishments have been promoting spring break parties, which have led to two recent shootings. They say establishments that cater to spring-breakers, like Hammerhead Fred's, Harpoon Harry's, and Longboards, are still included in their marketing materials. 'They have been on the TDC's website, they've been included, you know, in some of our other marketing materials and our visitors guide. And so, I mean, they're still they're part of the, you know, the mix that we do promote,' Rowe said. Commissioner Clair Pease asked the council to review their policies on promoting all local businesses. 'Let's say a gentlemen's club decided they want to advertise on our ratings or first of all, I'm pretty sure we have something in there that says we would be against promoting those those types of businesses,' Commissioner Clair Pease said. The TDC is focused on promoting Panama City Beach as a family-friendly area. But they fear the recent shootings could steer visitors away from Panama City Beach. 'If I had a family with children out here and that was going on, I guarantee I would not come back to this destination,' Bay County Tourist Development Council Board Member Andy Phillips said. The Bay County Tourist Development Council will review their policies on promoting businesses that host spring break parties. Then they will decide if those establishments will continue to be featured on the Visit Panama City Beach website. Once installed, the Flock cameras will be permanent fixtures and not solely used during busy times like spring break. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
