PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla., (Feb. 2, 2006) - Panama City Beach, Fla., is recognized as one of America's Best Beaches in the Feb., 2006, issue of Conde Nast Traveler, available this week on newsstands nationwide. The destination is one of eleven epic beaches on America's East Coast that "marries the outstanding physical assets of location with distinctive local character," the magazine said.

Specifically, Panama City Beach was cited for its soft white sand, beautiful beaches, rich tropical wildlife and large variety of accommodations, among other assets.

"This honor comes at a time when Panama City Beach is experiencing major growth and development," said Bob Warren, president & CEO of the Panama City Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau. "More than 47 new properties are being developed and refurbished now. By the beginning of 2008, our accommodations inventory will have grown to more than 38,000 rooms.

"At the same time, we continually take proactive steps to uphold the destination's reputation as 'The Beach Lovers Beach,'" Warren continued. "Our prominence on the Conde Nast Traveler list demonstrates our hard work to preserve our world-class beaches has proved successful."

For more than a decade, travel writer Ron Hall has searched the globe for its premier beaches. Hall put America's beaches to the test, sifting the sands to uncover seaside classics for this month's Conde Nast Traveler. The magazine provides experienced business and leisure travelers with distinctive travel experiences from correspondents who frequently visit destinations anonymously. In addition to winning major national magazine awards, Conde Nast Traveler was named the Best Travel Magazine in the 2005 Zagat Survey.

Other Best Beaches from Texas to New England recognized by Conde Nast Traveler are: South Padre Island, Tex.; Clearwater, Naples and South Beach, Fla.; Cumberland Island, Ga.; Assateague/Chincoteague, Md. and Va.; Cape May, N.J.; the Hamptons, N.Y., and Martha’s Vineyard and Cape Cod, Mass. Oregon and California beaches will be featured in an upcoming issue

Panama City Beach boasts 27 miles of silky white-sand beaches bordering the clear, emerald-green waters of the Gulf of Mexico and St. Andrews Bay. The destination, known as "The Beach Lovers Beach," also enjoys recognition as a top U.S. beach from The Travel Channel, USA Today, Southern Living, Dr. Beach and the Clean Beaches Council. Family attractions, championship golf courses, sporting events, delectable dining, predictably sunny weather and a vast number of recreational activities draw visitors to this Northwest Fla. destination annually. For more information, call 1-800-PCBEACH (850-233-5070) or visit www.visitpanamacitybeach.com.