Panama City Beach, FL (September 15, 2006) – The Panama City Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau’s President/CEO Bob Warren issued the following statement in response to the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) approval to relocate the Panama City – Bay County International Airport to West Bay:

“The FAA’s decision to relocate our airport will have tremendous benefits for leisure and business travelers making Panama City Beach and Northwest Florida their destination. With the opportunity for improved air service and more competitive fares, we can dramatically expand our markets. Panama City Beach, known as the “World Most Beautiful Beaches,” has sugar-white sand and emerald green waters. It’s no wonder this seaside town is a favorite resort destination for millions of visitors every year.

Although we currently offer air service, the newly relocated Panama City-Bay County International Airport will allow us to market well beyond our traditional drive markets that include Atlanta, Knoxville, Nashville, Louisville, Memphis, Birmingham, Montgomery and all points south. As a result of the FAA’s decision, the Panama City Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau, Inc., will be announcing plans to expand its marketing efforts to include all major national markets in leisure travel, national meetings and conventions, along with international sales in the United Kingdom, Germany and Mexico.

Tourism is Bay County’s the largest industry, representing more than 25,000 available accommodations and growing. Every year, Panama City Beach attracts an estimated 4.1 million leisure visitors and an additional 2.1 million visitors associated with business travel, meetings and special events, as well as winter residents escaping the cold weather of the Midwest and Canada. The economic impact of tourism on Panama City Beach exceeds $1.5 billion dollars annually. Our new airport will ensure our number one industry remains healthy, and it will give us the opportunity to experience rapid new growth. It will be the most modern new airport facility in the nation, meeting all of the latest federal safety standards. Once complete, we will have a facility that will meet this region’s air service needs for decades to come.

The FAA decision will have a lasting, positive impact on our quality of life – and will help us ensure a healthy, thriving tourist industry.

We owe sincere thanks to the FAA for their hard work – and to our airport authority for their leadership on this issue.”

The new Panama City Beach airport design calls for a 100,000-square-foot facility with floor-to-ceiling windows providing views from 90 percent of the interior space. The design aims to showcase the destination’s natural beauty. An interior courtyard, separated by glass, will bring nature into the terminal. Rooftop louvers will admit sunlight, while also helping to control interior temperatures and maximize passenger comfort.

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 Northwest Florida destination was recognized earlier this year by Conde Nast Traveler as one of America’s Best Beaches. Additional recognition as a top U.S. beach destination comes from USA Today, The Travel Channel, 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 seaside destination annually. For more information, call 1-800-PCBEACH (850-233-5070) or visit www.visitpanamacitybeach.com.